Trump says US' Iran strikes averted 'nuclear war', calls regime 'sick', 'angry' and 'crazy'

WASHINGTON,DC: President Donald Trump defended the recent US strike on Iran, warning that the operation prevented what he described as an imminent “nuclear war” and sharply condemning the country’s leadership as “sick and crazy.”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, March 3, Trump argued that failing to act would have had catastrophic global consequences.

“If we didn't do what we're doing right now, you would've had a nuclear war and they would've taken out many countries because you know what? They're sick people. They're mentally ill, sick people. They're angry. They're crazy. They're sick,” Trump said.

“These people are crazy and if they had a nuclear weapon, they would've used it.”

Trump calls Iran's regime 'evil'

When asked why there appeared to be international alignment against Iran, Trump said it was more of a moral, rather than political issue.

“They're just evil. It's not the politics, it's their whole philosophy, it's terrible and just a very evil ideology,” he said.

He added “Something had to be done. It's been 47 years. They've been killing people all over the world for a long time.”

Trump said operation 'Midnight Hammer' was carried out at a decisive moment.

“The attack that we did, known as Midnight Hammer, had we not done that, Iran would have had a very powerful nuclear weapon within one month. We did it. It was great timing,” he said.

Iran successor picks 'are dead', claims Trump

Trump also made striking comments about leadership changes in Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Asked about potential successors, Trump responded bluntly.

“Most of the people we had in mind are dead,” he said. “We had some in mind from that group that is dead. And now we have another group. They may be dead also, based on reports. So I guess you have a third wave coming in. Pretty sure we're not going to know anybody.”

Trump slams Barack Obama over Iran deal

Trump also renewed his criticism of former President Barack Obama, arguing that the 2015 nuclear agreement empowered Tehran.

“Barack Hussein Obama made maybe the worst deal I've ever seen because he gave all power in the Middle East to Iran,” Trump said.

“I terminated that. If I didn't terminate that deal, they would be sitting with a massive nuclear weapon three years ago, which would have been used already on Israel, at least, and other countries also.”

Trump revisited his long-standing criticism of the cash payments made during the Obama administration, referencing reports that funds were transported to Iran by air.

“If I didn't terminate the deal that Obama made, giving them everything, including plane loads of cash, do you remember the airplane flew over there? It was a Boeing 757, loaded with green cash,” Trump said.