Trump says he won't use the word war but wants to call Iran conflict a military operation

WASHINGTON DC: President Donald Trump said he would avoid calling the United States’ ongoing conflict with Iran a “war,” instead describing it as a “military operation,” during remarks at a National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) fundraising dinner on March 25.

The comments came a day after Trump indicated in an Oval Office Q&A that he had been advised against using the term “war,” even as he defended recent US military actions and warned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump rejects ‘war’ label in Iran conflict remarks

Trump told attendees that he would avoid using the term “war,” suggesting it carries implications he wants to steer clear of. “I won't use the word war because they say if you use the word war, that's maybe not a good thing to do,” he said.

He added that the terminology comes with procedural expectations, noting, “They don't like the word war because you are supposed to get approval. So I will use the word military operation.”

Trump further went on to take aim at former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, mocking his recent remarks on Iran policy. “I heard that today, [former Secretary of State Antony] Blinken made a statement that he should have done [Iran]. Thanks a lot, Blinken. I appreciate it!” 

He went on to question Blinken’s role while tying him to Joe Biden, adding, “Blinken is Biden's guy, I guess. Who the hell knows who he is? He's his guy. But he came out with a statement that they should have done it.”

Trump further criticized past administrations, saying, “They made a mistake. They should have done it, and other presidents should have done it. Obama should have done it.”

Trump defends US strikes, warns of Iran nuclear threat

During a March 24 Oval Office exchange, Trump reiterated the phrasing while addressing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during the same remarks, saying, “Pete, do you want to give about a three-minute statement on how we’re doing in this, as I call it, military operation?”

He added, “People don’t like me using the word war, so I won’t. But the Democrats call it a war. How about a little statement? I think he’s done a very good job.”

Trump also defended the US offensive against Iran and credited it with halting Tehran’s nuclear progress.

“You’re talking about saving millions of lives. If Iran had a nuclear weapon, they would have used it. And if I didn’t end the horrible, Barack Hussein Obama Iran nuclear deal in my first administration, they would have had a nuclear weapon three or four years ago,” asserted Trump while touting Operation Midnight Hammer.

He said, “They would have used it. I would have never gotten the chance probably to be president… it would have been so devastating. And if we didn’t send those beautiful B-2 bombers… we obliterated despite CNN… ‘No, no, we obliterated it.’ Just obliterated their nuclear potential.”

He added, “Two weeks after that attack, had we not made the attack, they would have a nuclear weapon… and they would have used it on the entire Middle East, including Israel… unexpectedly, they started sending missiles to UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and elsewhere.”

Trump then asked Hegseth about the escalation: “And nobody thought they were going to-, were you equally surprised by that, Pete [Hegseth]?”

“Way more than we thought, Mr. President,” agreed Hegseth.