In a nationally televised address on June 21, President Donald Trump spoke to the American people following the U.S. military’s bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. The strikes, part of what the Pentagon dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” came in response to escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, with the U.S. reaffirming its long-standing alliance with Israel.
Trump described the military operation as a “spectacular success” aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He expressed hope that further military involvement in the region would not be necessary, even as Iran is expected to retaliate.
The president concluded his four-minute speech with a personal and religious note, invoking God and offering prayers for those involved in the conflict. “And in particular, God, I want to just say, we love you God, and we love our great military,” he stated. “Protect them. God bless the Middle East, God bless Israel, and God bless America. Thank you very much. Thank you.”
Trump’s remarks underscored his Christian faith, which he has described as non-denominational in recent years. Though he was raised Presbyterian, Trump told Religion News Service in 2020 that he now identifies as a non-denominational Christian.
His wife, former First Lady Melania Trump, is Catholic and publicly demonstrated her faith during a 2017 meeting with Pope Francis, where she asked the pontiff to bless her rosary beads.
As of June 23, independent verification of the damage caused by the U.S. strikes had not been conducted. Iranian officials reported over 400 deaths since the start of Israeli airstrikes on June 13, while Iranian missile attacks have resulted in at least 24 deaths in Israel, according to Reuters.
In a related statement, Pope Leo called for urgent international action to halt the spiraling violence. During his weekly address on June 22, he urged the global community to “stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss.”