Here’s what he said.
President Donald Trump delivered one of the most personal moments of his remarks during Wednesday’s NATO summit, saying he believes he remains Iran’s “number one target” because of the actions his administration has taken against the country’s leadership and military capabilities.
The comments came during a lengthy question-and-answer session after a reporter asked whether Trump’s approach toward Iran had reached what was described as a “strategic dead end.” The president firmly rejected that idea, arguing instead that his policies have significantly weakened the Iranian regime while making America and its allies safer.
Trump said Iran is facing growing economic challenges and claimed the country’s leadership is now interested in reaching an agreement despite continuing tensions in the region.
According to the president, members of his administration have remained engaged in diplomatic efforts while also maintaining a position of strength. He praised Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for their work on foreign policy.
Trump Reflects On Iran Policy
During the exchange, Trump defended his long-held belief that previous American administrations failed to confront Iran aggressively enough over the past several decades.
He argued that recent U.S. military actions dramatically reduced Iran’s military capabilities and disrupted key leadership positions within the country’s government. Trump said those developments have fundamentally changed the balance of power in the Middle East.
The president maintained that projecting strength is essential to preventing future conflicts and insisted his administration’s strategy has produced meaningful results.
A Personal Admission
One of the most widely discussed moments of the press conference came when Trump acknowledged the personal risks he believes accompany his decisions on Iran.
“I may be going too, because I’m their number one target,” Trump said, suggesting Iranian leaders view him as their primary adversary because of the policies he has pursued.
Despite that possibility, Trump said he has no regrets about the decisions he has made.
“I’m doing what’s right for the country,” the president said. “I’m really doing what’s right for the world.”
His remarks quickly drew attention online as supporters praised his willingness to speak openly about the potential dangers associated with serving as commander in chief.
Defending His Record
Throughout the press conference, Trump repeatedly argued that his administration has taken a tougher approach toward hostile governments than previous presidents.
He claimed Iran’s leadership has been significantly weakened and said allowing the regime to continue unchecked would create greater security risks for both the United States and its allies.
Trump also praised the performance of the U.S. military, describing recent operations as highly successful and crediting American service members for carrying out their missions with precision.
He emphasized that maintaining a strong military remains one of the best ways to discourage future conflicts and protect American interests around the world.
Turning To Border Security
The discussion later shifted from foreign policy to immigration, another issue that has remained central to Trump’s political message.
The president contrasted his administration’s border policies with those of former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that stronger enforcement has dramatically reduced illegal crossings along the southern border.
Trump criticized the previous administration’s handling of border security and said his administration has restored order through tougher immigration enforcement and expanded border operations.
He also repeated his belief that securing the border is essential to protecting American communities and national security.
A Defiant Message
As the press conference concluded, Trump remained confident that his administration’s approach to both foreign policy and domestic security has delivered positive results.
While acknowledging that confronting hostile governments can carry significant personal risks, he said those risks are outweighed by the responsibility to protect the country and promote stability abroad.
His comments about being a potential target of Iran quickly became one of the defining moments of the NATO summit, generating widespread discussion as debates continue over U.S. policy in the Middle East and America’s role on the world stage.
Whether supporters view his remarks as a demonstration of resolve or critics see them differently, Trump’s candid comments ensured the issue remained at the center of the day’s headlines.
