Iran War Defended at Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth defended the ongoing war between the US and Israel against Iran on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
During speeches at a Pentagon memorial ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the country's controversial war against Iran, linking the conflict to the legacy of the 2001 attacks.
Emphasis on Iran at the Pentagon Ceremony
US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gathered at a memorial ceremony at the Pentagon on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Unlike these ceremonies which normally focus on honoring the victims, the two leaders defended the war against Iran, which has been ongoing for over six months.
In his speech at the ceremony, Trump saluted the soldiers serving in the fight against terrorism and emphasized the efforts of service members working to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The Divide Between Washington and New York
While US President Trump's preference to remain in Washington drew criticism, Vice President JD Vance traveled to New York for the memorial service at Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center collapsed.
The Connection Between the Iran War and 9/11
At the end of his speech, Trump attempted to draw a direct link between the unpopular Iran war in public opinion polls and the 9/11 attacks.
Stating that they were renewing the sacred oath they first swore a quarter-century ago, Trump expressed that they were fighting for this reason, that they had no other choice, and that victory was the only option.
Statements from Defense Secretary Hegseth
Taking the podium earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Iran war is part of the struggle against an Islamic theocracy that has been wishing for death for nearly half a century.
Hegseth claimed that Iran's defense capacity had been dismantled, despite all evidence to the contrary, and expressed that economic pressure is increasing day by day.
Call from Victims' Families Regarding Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, at the ceremony in New York City, the leader of a group of 9/11 victims' families called on the Trump administration to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its alleged support for the attacks.
Terry Strada, a victim's widow, stated that the Trump administration could still change the situation and demanded that Saudi Arabia stop denying responsibility for the pain and destruction caused.