Trump Calls Iranian Regime 'Cancer' That Must Be Cut Out Early

ANKARA, July 8: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday described the Iranian government as a "cancer" that must be "cut out early," as he defended the latest US military strikes on Iran during a NATO summit in Ankara.

Speaking alongside Mark Rutte, Trump said US forces had struck Iranian military targets "very hard" overnight in response to Tehran's actions.

"These are evil, sick people. And we have to rid of that cancer… You got to cut out cancer early," Trump said.

The US president also accused Iran of attacking commercial vessels instead of focusing on funeral ceremonies for its slain leader, saying Tehran had chosen further confrontation over restraint.

Trump said the American response was "20 times tougher" than Iran's actions, underscoring Washington's determination to respond forcefully to attacks in the region.

Reiterating a long-standing US position, Trump said Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon and described Tehran as having been "trouble" for the past 47 years.

His remarks came as tensions between Washington and Tehran continued to escalate following a new round of US strikes on Iranian military targets and renewed concerns over security in the Gulf and international shipping lanes.