US - Iran Crisis: Trump Announces New Sanctions Following Missile Barrage In Iraq

President Trump indicated Wednesday that the crisis with Iran triggered by the targeted drone strike last week that killed an Iranian general is over but called for more sanctions against Tehran to dissuade the Islamic republic from destabilizing the Middle East.

Iran launched an overnight rocket barrage against two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops in Al Asad and Irbil that caused no U.S. casualties and little damage in retaliation for the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force, the branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps tasked with spreading Iranian influence throughout the region. He also is blamed for the maiming and deaths of hundreds of U.S. troops and was believed planning attacks on U.S. diplomats and troops in the region.

“I’m pleased to inform you the American people should be extremely grateful and happy. No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime,” Trump said in an address from the Grand Foyer of the White House, flanked by Vice President Mike Pence, cabinet secretaries and senior military officers in their uniforms. “All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained.”

He continued: “Iran appears to be standing down. That’s a very good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.”

Trump called on NATO to become more involved in the region and again vowed never to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

“As long as I’m president of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “We will not let that happen.”

On Monday, Iran said it no longer felt bound by the 2015 agreement with world leaders restricting its nuclear development program and would ramp up its enrichment of uranium. Trump, who pulled the U.S. out of the agreement in 2018, called it “very defective” and gave “Iran a clear and quick path to nuclear breakout.”

“Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions and end its support for terrorism,” he said.

Trump said the U.S. would increase sanctions against the regime to force Iran to change its behavior. The Iranians support numerous militias in Iraq and Syria, as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen. It also is believed behind numerous terrorist groups.

"The United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime," Trump said, adding they will stay in place until “Iran changes its behavior.”

“In recent months alone, Iran has seized ships in international waters, fired an unprovoked strike on Saudi Arabia and shot down two American drones,” Trump said.

Trump said he wants peace in the region and is “ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.” He told the Iranian people the U.S. wants “you to have a future and a great future, one that you deserve, one of prosperity at home and harmony with the nations of the world.”

Speculation had run rampant that Iran would retaliate be disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

Trump shrugged off that possibility, indicating such action would not affect the U.S., saying the country is not dependent on Middle East oil.

"We are now the No. 1 producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world. We are independent and we do not need Middle East oil," he said.

Trump called on NATO to become more involved in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted earlier Iran was planning no further retaliation.