Trump warns of new sanctions on Iran, says US 'ready to embrace peace'

Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that additional economic sanctions would be imposed on Tehran. He, however, has not given details of the nature of the new sanctions.

Speaking at the White House, Trump called on Europe to “break away from the remnants of the Iran nuclear deal” and work toward a new deal. 

Trump claimed that no Americans were harmed in the Iranian missile strikes on military bases housing US troops in Iraq on Tuesday night. "We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases," he said.

“Iran appears to be standing down,” Trump further said.

Referring to the killing of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani, the president said, “Last week we eliminated the world’s top terrorist.” 

The US president said it was a “decisive action to stop a ruthless terrorist”.

Trump said the US is ready to embrace peace, but added that peace and stability cannot prevail in Middle East as long as Iran continues to "foment terrorism".

"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.

Trump also vowed that he will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

"As long as I'm President of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.

Iran launched ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops. It was Iran's most brazen assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the US Embassy in Tehran.

Iran claimed the missile strikes were in retaliation for the American drone strike that killed Soleimani.