Trump warns Iran but says US 'ready to embrace peace with all who seek it'

Speaking from the foyer of the White House, Trump announced that the US will immediately place new sanctions on Iran “until Iran changes it’s behaviour”. 

He defended his targeted killing last week of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, adding that Americans should be “extremely grateful and happy” with the outcome.

Trump reiterated his position that “Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon" and called for new nuclear negotiations to replace the 2015 nuclear deal from which he withdrew the US.

"We must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place," he said.

Trump also announced he would ask NATO to become "much more involved in the Middle East process”.

The missile strikes overnight marked Tehran’s most brazen direct assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the US Embassy in Tehran and came days after Soleimani's targeted killing.

Iran had pledged to retaliate, bringing the two countries closer to the brink of war.

While boasting that the US military was "stronger than ever", Trump stopped short of making any direct threat of further military action against Iran.

"The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent," he said.

(FRANCE 24 with AP)