Asked about his decision to call off military strikes against Iran, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (2 August) that the US had been "all set to go" with a "massive attack" before allies asked to halt it.
"I was asked by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran. We were all set to go just about at this time, right now, and it would have been a massive attack. We were all set to go, but when our allies asked to call it off, you sort of have to say, 'Well, let's see.'"
"And the reason they asked is they think there's a deal... There's a deal on Hormuz, and then there will be a deal on the nuclear—or you might call it the denuclearisation of Iran. I call it the denuclearisation of Iran…."
Biggest attack since World War II
Trump added that the US was "holding" the strikes and could resume them "whenever we want," explaining that negotiations with Iran were set to begin on Monday afternoon. "We had an attack planned that would have been the biggest attack since World War II, and it would have been disastrous for them. They didn't want us to do it. And frankly, Saudi Arabia didn't want it either. I thought a deal was imminent."
Online reaction
Viewers took to X after a clip of the remarks was shared by Acyn. One said: "Claiming an attack bigger than WW2 was minutes away from happening is a crazy statement to make publicly." A second wrote: "Iran was included in the allies?? We are in so much trouble with him at the wheel. His dementia will get much worse."
Another remarked: "Just lies. He wants a deal, he's got dementia, he dozes off and wakes up believing his lies. Classic frontal lobe dementia." A fourth user added: "Iran couldn't give a flying f**k about more attacks. They want to prolong this war as long as possible to show their strength."
Errors in speech
Pointing out that the 80-year-old had made several errors in his speech, a fourth wrote: "Trump says Iran was among the allies that asked us not to bomb Iran because a 'deal on Hormoz is eminent', also, 'the nuclear'. Maybe Dementia Donald McMushBrain meant to say that IRAQ was among the quasi-allies that asked us not to bomb Iran because a deal on HORMUZ is IMMINENT."
