The world will be safer: Trump defends war against Iran

US President Donald Trump has defended the war against Iran despite growing public opposition.

The war against Iran was among the factors that helped the Democratic Party gain control of Congress in last week’s midterm elections.

Speaking at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, Trump said “the courage and skill of our incredible American warriors have been extraordinary by every measure”.

“When this war ends, which will be soon, the entire world will be a safer, better and more peaceful place, free of the dangers we have had to endure,” he added.

The war, which began on 28 February with US-Israeli strikes against Iran, has so far killed 23 US service members and wounded hundreds, according to Pentagon figures.

Trump argued that Washington had not started the war, blaming Tehran, which he said had been “waging war on America since 1979”. He stressed that US forces were working to prevent Iran from acquiring the capability to build a nuclear weapon.

Addressing an audience of troops, veterans and senior administration officials, Trump singled out Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was present, praising his “fantastic work”.

On Tuesday, Republican members of the House of Representatives blocked an impeachment effort against Hegseth initiated by an outgoing Republican lawmaker. The effort accused him of waging war without congressional authorisation and abusing his powers as defence secretary.

Trump, 80, took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a monument honouring American service members who died in war.

He also used his speech to discuss the proposed 76-metre-high “triumphal arch” he hopes to build near the cemetery, saying it would be inaugurated “soon”.

John F. Kennedy’s family asked a court on Tuesday to block construction, arguing that the massive structure would obstruct views and cast a shadow over the graves of the late president and other Kennedy family members buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

The project also faces lawsuits brought by a group of veterans, the city of Washington and the state of Virginia.