Trump uses 9/11 Pentagon memorial ceremony to justify war against Iran
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On September 11, 2026, US President Donald Trump used the 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Pentagon to justify the ongoing war against Iran. In his speech, Trump stated, 'We will never, never forget. That is why we fight today. We have no choice. There can only be victory,' and declared that Iran will 'never possess a nuclear weapon.' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who calls himself War Minister, said in his own speech that over the past six months they had reduced the world's most significant state sponsor of terrorism to rubble and ashes. The ceremony marked the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, as well as current Vice President J.D. Vance, also attended the memorial in New York. Prior to the event, media speculated that Trump had wanted to speak at Ground Zero in Manhattan, but politicians have not given speeches there for years. Trump dismissed the report as false.
Source report
US President Donald Trump used the 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Pentagon to defend the war against Iran, declaring that the country will "never possess a nuclear weapon."
Key Remarks from the Ceremony
Speaking at the headquarters of the Department of Defense near Washington, Trump stated:
"We will never, never forget. That is why we fight today. We have no choice. There can only be victory."
He added:
"We honor the soldiers who are ensuring right now that the world's leading supporter of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran, will never possess a nuclear weapon."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who refers to himself as War Minister, also addressed the ceremony, stating that over the past six months, the U.S. had reduced "the world's most significant state sponsor of terrorism to rubble and ashes."
25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
Twenty-five years ago, nearly 3,000 people died in the terrorist attacks when operatives from the Islamist network Al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger planes:
- Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York
- One plane hit the Pentagon near Washington, killing 184 people
- A fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers resisted the hijackers
In New York, relatives read out the names of the victims at the site of the destroyed Twin Towers.
Notable Attendees
- George W. Bush — President during the 2001 attacks, who subsequently declared the war on international terrorism
- Joe Biden — Former President
- J.D. Vance — Current Vice President
Media Speculation on Trump's Plans
Prior to the event, media outlets speculated whether Trump had originally planned to attend the memorial ceremony in New York.
- The New York Times, citing four unnamed sources, reported that Trump wanted to attend the Ground Zero memorial in Manhattan and wished to give a speech.
- However, politicians have not given speeches at the Ground Zero memorial ceremony for years.
- Trump dismissed the report as false, calling it an "invented story."
- CNN reported similarly to the newspaper.
Witness Account
"It once again highlights how important coincidences are in life." — Thomas Wimmer, 9/11 witness, describing his impressions of September 11, 2001, in New York
Sources: dpa, nw
Source
Nachrichten - WELTWestern
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Trump and Hegseth use 9/11 Pentagon memorial to justify Iran war