According to Anadolu Agency, President Donald Trump stated that he would have authorized the strike that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 even if he had known in advance that Iran’s retaliation would target U.S. partners in the Gulf region.
In an interview released, Trump defended the operation that eliminated the head of the Quds Force, asserting that the strategic value of removing Soleimani outweighed the subsequent risks to allies.
His comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of the strike’s aftermath, which included a Iranian ballistic missile attack on the Al-Asad air base in Iraq that resulted in traumatic brain injuries to more than 100 U.S. service members.
When pressed on whether the intelligence prior to the strike was sufficient regarding potential blowback against Gulf nations, Trump maintained that the decision was clear-cut.
“I would have done it even if I knew they were going to hit those other countries, Trump said, retaining the original quote. “He was a monster, and he was planning big death & destruction for us, the risk was worth it to save American lives.
The president’s remarks highlight his continued emphasis on the deterrence value of the Soleimani killing, which he has often cited as a key national security achievement. However, his hypothetical acknowledgment of foreseeable retaliation against regional partners may raise questions among Gulf allies about the extent of U.S. commitment to their defense during that period of heightened tension.