President Donald Trump told Reuters on Wednesday that any U.S. presence in Iran would be brief, saying the United States will be "out of Iran pretty quickly" and that American forces could come back for "spot hits" if the situation required it. His comments came hours before a scheduled primetime address to the nation.
In the interview, the President tied U.S. action to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, saying: "They won’t have a nuclear weapon because they are incapable of that now, and then I’ll leave, and I’ll take everybody with me, and if we have to we’ll come back to do spot hits." Asked when the United States would consider the Iran conflict concluded, he responded: "I can’t tell you exactly .... we’re going to be out pretty quickly."
Mr. Trump also indicated he planned to use his national address to register his displeasure with NATO, which he described as not providing adequate support for U.S. objectives in Iran. He said he is "absolutely" considering an attempt to withdraw the United States from NATO.
The remarks repeat two linked themes from the interview: a commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and a preference for a limited, short-duration U.S. footprint on the ground. At the same time, the President signaled a willingness to conduct targeted operations later if necessary, describing those as "spot hits."
Context and implications stated by the President
- The United States will be "out of Iran pretty quickly," according to the President.
- The U.S. may execute "spot hits" in Iran if circumstances warrant returning military forces.
- The President said Iran will not have a nuclear weapon because, in his words, "they are incapable of that now."
- He plans to express his frustration with NATO for what he sees as insufficient support, and said he is "absolutely" considering withdrawing the United States from the alliance.
The reporting reflects the President's direct statements in the interview; it does not assert or infer outcomes beyond those statements.