US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Day 258 | Trump defends Iran war in Veterans Day address
President Donald Trump used a US Veterans Day commemoration Wednesday to defend the war against Iran -– an increasingly unpopular conflict that helped trigger a Democratic takeover of Congress in last week's midterm elections.
"The bravery and skill of our amazing American warriors has absolutely been incredible," Trump said in an address at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington.
"When this conflict is over, and it will be soon, the entire world will be a much safer and better place, more peaceful place, and a place without the kind of danger that we had to suffer."
The war, which began on February 28 with US and ‘Israeli’ strikes against Iran, has so far cost the lives of 23 US service members and wounded several hundred more, according to the latest Pentagon figures.
Trump said in his remarks that the conflict was started not by Washington but by Tehran, which "has been waging war on America since 1979."
He stressed that US forces were acting in order to halt Iran's capacity to build a nuclear weapon.
During his speech before troops, veterans and top officials in his administration, Trump namechecked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was in attendance, saying he had "done a fantastic job."
Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday blocked an effort -- launched by an outgoing Republican lawmaker -- to impeach Hegseth for allegedly waging war without congressional authorization and abusing his powers as Pentagon chief.
‘Israel’ security cabinet orders military for prepare for possible Iran attack: report
‘Israel’s’ security cabinet, led by caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has directed the military to step up preparations for a possible attack on Iran, according to a report by public broadcaster Kan News.
Kan reported that the directives could lead the military to carry out activities that might trigger a wider war.
The security cabinet last convened on October 5, weeks before the October 27 ‘Israeli’ elections, and has not met since.
The report emerged publicly after Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming the next government, issued a statement and formal letter urging Netanyahu to refrain from unnecessary military operations until a new government is established.
Eisenkot stressed that Netanyahu heads a transitional government lacking full parliamentary legitimacy, noting that only 46 Knesset members still support his continued tenure.
In the letter, Eisenkot wrote that Netanyahu must “exercise restraint and caution regarding dangerous moves that can wait until a new government enjoying the confidence of the Knesset is sworn in.”
He warned that deploying security forces “in the absence of a direct and immediate threat that cannot be delayed could have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and for citizens’ trust in the institutions of government.”
Netanyahu’s office rejected the criticism, describing Eisenkot’s letter as an attempt to politicize national security.
It stated that all decisions by the Netanyahu-led government were made solely for security reasons and in full coordination with the security services.
The development comes amid ongoing regional tensions with Iran following earlier military exchanges and assessments that Tehran continues efforts related to its nuclear program and missile capabilities.
‘Israeli’ officials have previously indicated sustained readiness for various Iran-related scenarios, including potential strikes or responses to Iranian actions.
Under ‘Israeli’ law, a caretaker government retains authority to approve significant military operations via the security cabinet.
Iran lists Argentina navy, air force as terrorist organisations
Tehran has designated Argentina's air force and navy as "terrorist organizations," Iran's Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday, in retaliation for a similar move by Buenos Aires.
In late March, the Argentine government added Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its list of "terrorist" individuals and organizations, citing its support for Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Argentina's judiciary accuses Iran and Hezbollah of being responsible for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds.
Since Javier Milei took office in late 2023, Argentina's government has adopted a clearly pro-US and pro-‘Israel’ stance and expressed support for their war against Iran.
In a statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry said Tehran "considers the Argentine Navy and Air Force to fall under the scope of the aforementioned law and its provisions, and hereby designates them as terrorist organizations."
The practical implications of the designation were not immediately clear.
Argentina's Foreign Ministry responded on Wednesday by "categorically rejecting" Tehran's decision.
"This measure is entirely without basis and constitutes an unacceptable accusation against institutions established in accordance with the law, subject to the national constitution, and tasked with defending national sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement.
Iran adopted a law in 2019 allowing it to take reciprocal measures against any country that designates its armed forces as terrorist organizations.
Earlier this month, Iran designated Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) a "hostile group" and the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force "terrorist organizations," following London's designation of the IRGC as a "terrorist" organization in July.
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Read more: Day 257 | Rubio says “no need” to attack Iran as diplomacy gathers pace
