Trump Links 25th 9/11 Anniversary to Iran War at Pentagon Ceremony: 'That's Why We Fight Today'

At a Pentagon ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, President Trump directly tied the commemoration to the ongoing war with Iran: 'Today we renew the sacred oath that we first swore in their names a quarter of a century ago. We will never, ever forget. That's why we fight today.' He said the US would ensure 'the world's number one sponsor of terror — the Islamic Republic of Iran — will never ever have a nuclear weapon.' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking alongside Trump, claimed US forces have killed Iranian military leaders, destroyed Iran's air force, dismantled its defenses over six months of fighting, and now control the Strait of Hormuz — an assessment independent analysis (Al-Monitor) disputes, noting the war has 'slid into a stalemate with Iran largely maintaining its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, and keeping oil prices high.' Trump had sought to speak at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York but was declined to preserve the event's nonpartisan character.