Speaking at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2026, President Donald Trump invoked the 2001 attacks and explicitly linked them to the United States’ ongoing conflict with Iran, saying the country will never forget why it fights and framing the Iran campaign as part of that mission.
Multiple outlets reported that in remarks at the Pentagon memorial the president “linked the 11 September attacks to Iran” while praising the military and arguing the U.S. fight against Iran was aimed at preventing a nuclear-armed Tehran, according to The New York Times and AFP coverage of the speech.
The defense secretary who spoke alongside the president also tied the Iran conflict to the 9/11 era fight against terrorism, a point noted in reporting from The Hill and Politico that described both men using the anniversary to defend military action in the Middle East.
Trump’s remarks drew immediate political response: some Republicans defended his comments while others avoided calling the situation a formal war. Ted Cruz publicly backed Trump’s account on CNN, per an internal link, and separate reporting showed Senator JD Vance saying he “wouldn’t call the U.S. conflict with Iran a ‘war,’” reflecting disagreement within GOP ranks.
Context for the remarks comes as U.S. and allied strikes in the region have broadened, with trackers and coverage documenting strikes and widening regional risks. Reuters-style tracking in the internal link pool noted U.S.-Israel strikes and the escalating regional dynamics that officials say underpin the current operations.
At the Pentagon ceremony Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the campaign in terms of countering terrorism and preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a framing several outlets reported journalists observed in their coverage of the Sept. 11 remarks.
Observers and reporters noted the political stakes: the 9/11 anniversary is historically a solemn national moment, and using it to defend a contentious Middle East campaign prompted debate across media and among lawmakers about appropriateness and accuracy.
Sources
- The New York Times — reported that Trump “linked the 11 September attacks to Iran” in his Pentagon remarks.
- Politico — covered how Mr. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used 9/11 remarks to defend the Iran campaign.
- AFP — noted the president tied the 9/11 memory to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran and quoted his line “that is why we fight.”
- The Hill — reported on both Trump and Hegseth tying the Iran war into 9/11 speeches.
- USA Today — described audience reaction and Trump’s assertion that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.
- Internal pool link — Ted Cruz defends Trump’s 9/11 account on CNN: Ted Cruz defends Trump’s 9/11 account.
- Internal pool link — Iran war: Reuters tracks US‑Israel strikes and widening regional risks: Reuters tracks US‑Israel strikes.
- Internal pool link — Trump recounts 9/11 experience at White House memorial: Trump recounts 9/11 experience.
