Trump said that Iran had wanted to strike an agreement to avoid the conflict, but talks had been unproductive and the president’s patience had been exhausted by the back and forth.

“They just wanted to practice evil,” Trump said. “They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore.”

He said that after the June attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites, “we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons. And we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried.”

Trump added that Iran “rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore.”

He also stressed that the strikes would dismantle Iran’s ability to launch terror attacks and stop its development of ballistic missiles. He did not outline how aerial bombardment could accomplish those aims.

President Donald Trump said the Revolutionary Guard must lay down its arms, warning that the United States military is the strongest in the world and will prevail. He acknowledged that America may face consequences from its attacks on Iran, describing it as “normal in war,” but stressed that the Iranian regime will learn not to challenge the United States. Trump added that the U.S. is carrying out a massive and ongoing military operation inside Iran.

He further stated that “When we are finished, take over your government,” Trump said. “It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight.”

The U.S. president added: “Now is the time to seize control of your destiny.”