Khaberni - U.S. President Donald Trump praised the cooperation of Saudi Arabia with the United States in its military operation against Iran, expressing at the same time his disappointment with NATO's performance in the context of the confrontation with Tehran.
During a speech at the fourth edition of the "Future Investment Initiative Summit" in Miami, Trump said, Iran "has been a bully in the Middle East for 47 years, but it is no longer so today, and tonight, we are closer than ever before to the dawn of a Middle East finally freed from terrorism and Iranian nuclear blackmail," affirming that the region "will witness a major transformation in the future and will be prosperous."
He added: "I truly believe that we have saved the entire region. We saved not only Israel but also the Middle East."
Trump confirmed that the military operation against Iran resulted in "the destruction of 97% of the Iranian missile launch platforms," warning that the operations continue saying: "The United States is now destroying Iran's capabilities and its missile stockpile and its defense industrial base, and we still have 3554 targets remaining, which will be dealt with very quickly."
He revealed that Washington possesses secret weapons, saying: "We have weapons that no one knows exist except a few of us."
Trump referred to vital energy corridors, deliberately naming the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where he said: "They need to open 'Trump Strait,' I mean Hormuz... The fake news will say I said it by mistake, but there are no accidental mistakes with me."
In terms of international alliances, he expressed his deep thanks to the Gulf states, for what he described as "standing by the United States as opposed to NATO," and specifically mentioned Riyadh saying: "I would like to thank the entire Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; they have been very cooperative."
The U.S. president strongly doubted NATO's commitment in times of existential crises, adding: "If the major confrontation ever occurs, I guarantee you they will not be there.. They have made a huge mistake."
Trump also criticized Britain and its aircraft carriers, describing them as "not very good, as they do not move quickly or operate very efficiently."
He clarified that it was not expected for Iran to target countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait with its missiles, affirming that his base "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) "likes the idea of the United States protecting certain allies, whether they are Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or the UAE."
He also praised the Turkish stance, saying: "I think Turkey was amazing; they stayed out of the things we asked them to stay away from... Erdogan is a great leader."
Trump went back to the political and security scene in Iran, talking about the elimination of the former Quds Force commander with notable sarcasm saying: "Qasem Soleimani had such influence, to the extent that I believe the Iranian leadership was very happy when I eliminated him," adding: "no one will ask them about that because they are not here either," referring to targeting them.
Regarding the current Iranian leadership, Trump said "Ayatollah Khamenei was either killed or is in a bad health situation," adding: "No one wants to take over the leadership of Iran right now." And he indicated that "Washington will at some point have to decide the next step regarding Tehran."
Trump's statements come at a time when the American-Israeli war on Iran continues for the twenty-ninth consecutive day, amid continued exchange of missile strikes and drones and an almost complete halt to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, amid reports of intense diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement.
