President Trump claims U.S. "Operation Midnight Hammer" destroyed Iran's nuclear program and says he ordered Soleimani strike

President Donald Trump delivered remarks in a recorded address in which he made several assertions regarding U.S. military actions and longstanding American policy toward Iran.

In the address, Trump stated that the United States military had “obliterated Iran’s nuclear weapons program” through what he described as an operation conducted on Iranian soil, which he referred to as “Operation Midnight Hammer.” Trump also reiterated his role in a prior military action, saying, “We took out Soleimani. I did that during my first term,” referencing the 2020 U.S. strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general who led the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force.

Trump framed the statements within a broader foreign policy position, emphasizing a preference for diplomacy while maintaining a willingness to use force. “I will make peace wherever I can,” Trump said, adding that he would not “hesitate to confront threats to America.” He characterized U.S. policy toward Iran as consistent across multiple administrations, stating that for decades the United States has sought to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

During the address, Trump sharply criticized Iran’s ruling authorities, accusing them of having spread “terrorism and death and hate” since taking power more than four decades ago.

The speech also included claims regarding casualties attributed to Iran and its regional proxies. Trump asserted that such actors had “killed and maimed thousands of American service members” and were responsible for “hundreds of thousands and even millions of people” affected by roadside bomb attacks. The address did not provide sourcing or specific evidence to substantiate these figures.

The transcript of the remarks contains the speaker’s statements but does not include supporting documentation, independent verification, or responses from other officials. No formal policy actions, legal authorities, or governmental proceedings were recorded in the address.

The remarks are likely to draw attention given their focus on U.S. military operations and foreign policy toward Iran, though the claims themselves would require external confirmation to be treated as established fact.