President Trump’s Full Remarks at NATO Summit Press Conference
Trump declares victory after "12-day war," hailing destruction of Iran's nuclear sites and NATO's $1T defense pact. Announces China can buy Iranian oil for reconstruction. Claims ceasefire holding despite tensions, vows continued U.S. vigilance in Middle East.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Netherlands, U.S. President Donald J. Trump hailed what he described as a “monumental week” for American diplomacy and military prowess, following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and the signing of a NATO defense spending agreement that he dubbed the “Hague Defense Commitment.”
Speaking Wednesday, Trump began by thanking Dutch officials for their “royal treatment,” lauding the beauty of the Netherlands and praising meetings with the Dutch king, queen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and other leaders.
Trump: ‘We Called It the Twelve-Day War’
Trump confirmed that the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities — in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan — were decisive and effective, referring to the mission as “obliteration.”
“No other military on Earth could have done it,” he said, adding that the “twelve-day war,” as he called it, ended with a ceasefire agreement that he believes will hold. “They fought very hard. I think the war ended when we hit the nuclear sites.”
Trump compared the scale of destruction to that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, stating, “This ended a war in a different way, but it was so devastating.”
He noted that both Israeli and Iranian leaders wanted to halt the conflict. “They’re tired. They were exhausted,” he said. “I don’t think they’re going back at each other.”
NATO Summit Produces $1 Trillion Commitment
Pivoting to the summit, Trump announced that NATO allies had agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP — a figure he said had been unimaginable before. “They said, ‘You did it, sir,’” Trump recounted. “This will be known as the Hague Defense Commitment.”
The president emphasized that this agreement would add more than $1 trillion annually to NATO’s collective defense and declared it a “monumental win” for both the United States and Europe.
He underscored the need for allies to spend on hardware rather than bureaucracy, noting that American-made systems had successfully intercepted 14 Iranian missiles launched toward U.S. positions in Qatar during the conflict.
Iranian Nuclear Sites “Decimated”
Citing a letter from the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission, Trump reiterated that the American strikes rendered Iran’s nuclear sites “totally inoperable.” He said U.S. submarines fired 30 missiles with “nine-inch accuracy” into the sites, describing the underground facilities as being “30 to 35 stories down.”
Trump dismissed media reports that questioned the extent of the damage, calling them “fake news” and praising U.S. pilots for their execution of the mission. “They are the best pilots in the world. The best shots. That’s what they are,” he said.
Ceasefire Fragile But Holding
The president said Israeli warplanes were ready to retaliate after Iran violated the ceasefire “somewhat,” but he personally ordered them to stand down. “They brought them back. I thought it was amazing.”
Asked if Iran might resume its nuclear activities, Trump responded, “I don’t see them getting back involved… They’ve had it.”
He added that although the U.S. would monitor developments, “We’re always there. It won’t be me, but we’re there.”
U.S. Allows China to Buy Iranian Oil
Trump confirmed his administration is allowing China to resume oil purchases from Iran, citing the need for Tehran to rebuild. “They’re going to need money to put that country back into shape,” he said. “We could have kept the oil, but we didn’t.”
Despite ongoing sanctions, Trump implied a more flexible approach post-conflict. “If they’re going to sell oil, they’re going to sell oil. We’re not taking over the oil.”
Israel, Putin, and NATO's Future
The president also discussed Russia, saying President Putin had offered to help mediate with Iran, but Trump told him to focus on settling the war in Ukraine instead. “I was surprised. I thought we would’ve had that settled.”
He praised General Raisin Kane, now Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, crediting him with past victories against ISIS and his leadership during the Iran operation.
As for the future of Iran-U.S. relations, Trump remained noncommittal on restarting nuclear negotiations. “I could get a statement that they’re not going to go nuclear. We’re probably going to ask for that… But they’re not going to be doing it anyway.”
Closing the summit, Trump emphasized that under his leadership, both American strength and global deterrence had been reaffirmed. “This is the safety of Europe, the safety of the world,” he concluded. “And we’re doing it like no one else can.”
