‘Last and Best Chance to Strike’: Trump defends Attack on Iran 

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Donald Trump on Monday declared that launching military action against Iran was the United States’ “last and best chance” to eliminate what he described as intolerable threats posed by Tehran, as he provided an update on ongoing operations during a White House ceremony.

Speaking at the start of a medal presentation event in the East Room, Trump said the US continues to conduct “large-scale combat operations” in Iran under what he called “Operation Epic Fury”.

The objective, he stated, is to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities, destroy its naval assets, and prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Trump said Iran had ignored US warnings and refused to halt what he described as its pursuit of nuclear arms.

He argued that an Iranian regime armed with nuclear weapons and long-range missiles would constitute an “intolerable threat” to both the Middle East and the American people.

“I took this action because it was our last, best chance to strike,” the president said, adding that the mission aimed to eliminate threats posed by what he called a “sick and sinister regime”.

The president further accused Iran of arming, funding and directing militant groups across the region, saying it “cannot continue” such activities beyond its borders.

Providing a progress report, Trump said the campaign was already “substantially ahead” of initial time projections.

While early estimates suggested operations could last four to five weeks, he said US forces had the capability to continue “far longer” if necessary.

During the ceremony, Trump also paid tribute to four US servicemen killed in action, saying the nation grieved their loss and would continue the mission in their memory with “ferocious, unyielding resolve”.

The remarks came as Trump alternated between updates on military operations and comments on domestic matters, including plans for a new $400 million ballroom as part of renovations to the White House.

The president did not indicate any immediate shift in strategy, but reiterated that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remained central to US military objectives.