Trump: "No American casualties in Iran attack... Economic sanctions instead of retaliation" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Kim Bong-su] On the 8th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized that there were no American casualties from Iran's attack and indicated that he would strengthen economic sanctions instead of taking military action.

In a speech delivered at the White House around 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, President Trump addressed the missile attacks by Iran on two U.S. military bases in Iraq the previous day, stating, "No Americans were injured or killed in last night's attack by the Iranian regime," and emphasized, "Our great military is prepared for anything."

However, President Trump said, "It seems Iran is backing down," and announced that rather than military retaliation, strong economic sanctions would be imposed on Iran.

Earlier, President Trump had posted on Twitter the night before, saying, "It's okay. So far, so good," and "We have by far the strongest and best-equipped military anywhere in the world!" He had also announced that he would make a public statement that morning. The speech was attended by Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, and senior U.S. military commanders, reflecting a serious atmosphere.

Previously, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a retaliatory attack by firing a dozen ballistic missiles at at least two U.S. military bases in Iraq, including Ain al-Asad Airbase and Erbil base, in response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, by a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad airport on the 3rd. The IRGC named this operation "Shahid (Martyr) Soleimani," clearly indicating its retaliatory nature.

However, there were no reported U.S. casualties. President Trump tweeted, "All is well!" and "So far, so good!" In contrast, Iranian state media, citing senior IRGC sources, claimed that at least 80 American terrorists were killed. The IRGC also threatened to attack the U.S. mainland, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Haifa and Tel Aviv in Israel if the U.S. retaliated.

As a result, airlines worldwide canceled flights to the Middle East, putting the world on high alert. The international financial markets were hit hard, with stock prices plunging and global oil prices soaring.

However, there are growing indications that Iran indirectly notified the U.S. of its attack plans through Iraq and that the limited provocations were intended to avoid escalation into full-scale war, as no U.S. casualties occurred. The U.S. response is therefore being closely watched.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.