WASHINGTON: Addressing the nation from the Grand Foyer at White House, US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with additional sanctions saying that his administration is still considering the ‘options’.

Trump warned that the ‘powerful sanctions’ will remain until Iran changes its behavior.

He, however, appeared to offer Iran an olive branch, signaling that the U.S. was not seeking to launch a war with Tehran.

Trump said, “These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior.”

Trump said that the U.S. suffered no casualties in Iran’s attacks on military bases in Iraq. “All of our soldiers are safe,” he said.

President Trump’s statement comes hours after Iran rained over a dozen missiles on airbases in Iraq housing U.S. troops.

Tehran said that the attack was in response to last week’s U.S. drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, Tehran’s most powerful leader.

Trump insisted that the U.S. wants the Iranian leaders and the people to have a great future…’one that you deserve – one of prosperity at home and harmony with the nations of the world’.

He said that the United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.

He also called on the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia and China to break off from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.

President Trump said he plans to ask the NATO allies to become ‘much more involved’ in the Middle East process.

He touted the U.S. economy, energy independence and a stronger military under his leadership, which he said nobody thought were possible.

President Trump said all the way back to 1979, nations have tolerated Iran’s destructive and destabilizing behavior in the Middle East and beyond.

“Those days are over,” he said adding that Iran had been the leading sponsor of terrorism. Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world. (Agencies)