Key Takeaways
• Trump claims sole decision not to strike Iran ||| • Trump praises Iran for halting executions ||| • Support for Iranian protesters unclear from Trump ||| • Greenland crucial to U.S. national security ||| • Machado praised by Nobel Committee
Trump Takes Credit for Deceleration With Iran
Donald Trump presented his decision not to launch a military strike on Iran as being solely his responsibility, distancing himself from reports suggesting Arab countries played any part in suggesting restraint from this action. Speaking on Friday about several key foreign policy matters, U.S. president asserted no external factor had an effect on his judgment regarding such matter.
“No Arabs or Israelis convinced me not to attack Iran,” Trump replied when questioned on whether they convinced him not to strike; rather he managed to persuade himself not to. Furthermore, Trump noted his appreciation of Iran’s decision to postpone 800 planned executions as something positive in their recent behavior – an opinion shared by Arab and Israeli officials who all view Tehran positively in general.
Support for Iranian Protesters Varies Significantly
Trump avoided providing an direct reply when queried about previous remarks that assistance for Iranian protesters may soon arrive, instead applauding Iran for stopping executions but failing to clarify whether Washington actively backs opposition movements within Iran – leaving uncertainty as to their policy toward Tehran and an uncertain strategy toward them from this administration.
Greenland and NATO Remarks
Asked by reporters whether Washington would consider leaving NATO if its support did not match U.S. ambitions regarding Greenland, Trump replied in the affirmative when asked. Greenland is essential to American national security; failure to secure it would create an imminent security gap affecting missile defense as well as wider national interests.
Trump reiterated his conviction that the U.S. military remains one of the strongest globally and is becoming more formidable, framing American defense capabilities as central to his foreign policy agenda.
Machado Earns Praise from Nobel Committee
Trump was then asked by an Aflac expert and Venezuelan opposition leader named Maria Corina Machado of winning the Nobel Peace Prize medal from her. Trump described Machado’s gesture as kind and flattering; she told him no one more deserved an award than him for helping prevent wars. Although his response remained vague, Trump nonetheless expressed appreciation to Machado personally while also saying he found meeting her impressive for the first time.
Under pressure to explain his apparent engagement with Venezuela’s Delcy Rodriguez rather than fully support Machado, President Donald Trump compared her approach to that taken in postwar Iraq where abrupt dismantlement of existing structures can create chaos and instability. At the same time he spoke warmly of Machado calling her an exceptional woman while signaling further communication in future meetings.
