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President defends plane switch, cites strikes and presses for Iran denuclearization
Summary
At a post‑summit gaggle, the president explained a plane change as a precaution to let an air base see the aircraft, said U.S. forces "hit them 20 to 1" in recent reprisals, and framed the NATO meeting as a step toward pressing Iran on denuclearization.
The president said reporters’ questions about an in‑flight plane change were logistical and protective, telling reporters the aircraft was sent early so a nearby air force base could see it and that window blinds were closed as a precaution. "They think that Iran was possibly thinking probably... if they ask you to close your windows, probably they'd feel the way," the president said.
When pressed about threats from Iran and recent military exchanges, the president described a robust U.S. response. "We just hit them very hard. And I'd say we hit them 20 to 1," he said, adding that the United States has "already won militarily" and is seeking a denuclearization agreement with Iran.
Reporters asked whether the United States was returning to a full‑scale military conflict; the president said, "I don't know," but asserted that the U.S. had multiple ways to prevail and said other countries had sought to negotiate. He repeatedly framed the summit work as focused on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, calling it "the denuclearization of Iran."
The president also praised fellow leaders at the NATO meeting, saying "President Erdogan has been great" and that President Zelensky "was great today," and described the NATO room as showing "tremendous unity." He declined to provide details about some private conversations, saying only that they had been productive.
The gaggle ended without any formal announcements or decisions tied to the remarks; reporters continued to press for details about threats, troop posture and next steps.
