Geline Salac

'They were going to attack first': Trump seeks to justify Iran war, but stated objectives shift

Article (news)

Reuters Wires

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (March 3) said he believed Iran was preparing to strike first, his latest explanation for the Iran attack amid shifting accounts from the administration on why the war started.&quot;I might have forced their (Israel’s) hand,&quot; Trump told reporters in the Oval Office as he met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. &quot;We were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they were going to attack first. If we didn&#x27;t do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that.&quot;<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_jj8z5_v504?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>Trump&#x27;s comments about the run-up to the war were at odds with an earlier account from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told reporters on Monday (March 2) that the United States launched the attack because of fears that Iran would retaliate in response to planned Israeli action against Tehran.&quot;We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties,&quot; Rubio said.Trump’s stated aims and timeline of the war with Iran have shifted since it began over the weekend.&quot;We&#x27;re already substantially ahead of our time projections. But whatever the time is, it&#x27;s okay. Whatever it takes,&quot; Trump said at the White House on Monday (March 2), during his first public event since the conflict began.Trump’s timeline for the Iran operation has shifted since it began. He first told the Daily Mail it could take “four weeks, or less,” then told The New York Times four to five weeks. In separate remarks on Sunday and Monday, he left open the possibility that the operation could continue longer until its objectives are achieved.He also made no mention of regime change on Monday (March 2), saying the fight was needed to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, which Tehran denies seeking, and to thwart its long-range ballistic missile program.&quot;An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be an intolerable threat to the Middle East, but also to the American people,&quot; Trump said.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military campaign was ‘laser-focused’ at dismantling Iran’s offensive capacity, not pursuing regime change, though he said Iran’s leadership had been dealt a severe blow.“This is not a so-called &#x27;regime change war.&#x27; But the regime sure did change - and the world is better off for it,&quot; Hegseth said. Trump first announced the military operation in a video released Saturday (February 28), calling Iran’s government “a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.” He warned that U.S. strikes would continue until Iran’s missile and nuclear ambitions were eliminated and urged Iranian military and police forces to lay down their arms or face “certain death.”In his first message posted as the strikes got underway, Trump also addressed Iranian civilians, telling them to seize the opportunity.“When we are finished, take over your government,” Trump said. “This will be probably your only chance for generations.”(Production: Alexandra Sarabia)

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (March 3) said he believed Iran was preparing to strike first, his latest explanation for the Iran attack amid shifting accounts from the administration on why the war started.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (March 3) said he believed Iran was preparing to strike first, his latest explanation for the Iran attack amid shifting accounts from the administration on why the war started.

'They were going to attack first': Trump seeks to justify Iran war, but stated objectives shift

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

World

'They were going to attack first': Trump seeks to justify Iran war, but stated objectives shift

Reuters

Published Mar 04, 2026 07:53 AM PHT

Read More:

donald trump

iran

operation epic fury

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.