The White House called reports that President Trump will address the nation on Saturday following the U.S. strikes on Iran “inaccurate.”
“This reporting was inaccurate, the White House has not given any guidance on an address or remarks today,” the White House said in a statement to the press pool traveling with Trump.
The push back comes after Axios reported Trump would deliver an address to the nation. The outlet cited a U.S. official.
In a video posted to Truth Social overnight as the “major combat operations” began, the president called for regime change.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” he said.
Trump also urged members of Iran’s military to lay down their arms and called on Iranians to topple the hardline regime that has controlled the country since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
“Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take; this will be probably your only chance for generations,” the president said in the roughly 8-minute speech.
“America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny,” he added.
The strikes follow weeks of speculation over whether the U.S. would attack Iran amid U.S. military buildup in the region. Washington and Tehran have been engaged in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump has increasingly expressed frustration following the indirect talks and as Iran has declined to commit to not developing a nuclear weapon.
The president could still address the nation via a Truth Social post or video, or in televised remarks.
