WATCH: Trump meets with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House
Posted For: Suri
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with President Donald Trump at the White House during her first official visit and addressed the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Speaking through an interpreter, Takaichi said Japan condemns Iran’s conduct during the war, including attacks on neighboring Gulf nations and actions that effectively shut down traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. She emphasized that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and said Japan has been pressing Iranian leaders while also coordinating with international partners on the issue.
Takaichi also said she presented a proposal to the White House aimed at stabilizing global energy markets. The effort comes as the United States has asked Japan to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for oil that is especially important to Japan because of its reliance on imported energy.
During the meeting, President Trump addressed questions about whether the United States might send ground troops into Iran. He said he has no plans to deploy troops there. Trump also noted that as commander in chief he has the authority to move military forces where necessary but made clear that he is not planning to send troops into the country.
Trump also discussed a request for additional military funding related to the conflict. The Pentagon has indicated it may require an extra $200 billion, and the president said the money would also help support broader defense needs. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described the spending request as necessary in what he called a highly unstable global environment and said it would be a small price to maintain a strong and ready U.S. military.
The president was also asked about Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars natural gas field. Trump said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told him not to carry out such an action. Trump added that he believes Netanyahu will not repeat it. He described the relationship between the two countries as closely coordinated but said there are times when Israel may take actions he does not support.
Trump appeared to indicate that his conversation with Netanyahu occurred after the attack had already taken place. According to a person familiar with the situation, the United States had been informed that Israel was planning the strike but was not involved in carrying it out.
Reporters also questioned Trump about why allies such as Japan were not informed in advance about the U.S. decision to begin military operations against Iran. The president said secrecy was necessary in order to maintain the element of surprise. In making his point, he referenced Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, asking Takaichi rhetorically who would understand the value of surprise better than Japan.
The Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, killed more than 2,300 Americans and led the United States to declare war on Japan the following day.
At the same Oval Office meeting, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. government is also focusing on financial assets connected to individuals who left Iran’s government or military and moved money out of the country. Bessent said Treasury officials have identified cases where funds were transferred overseas and said the United States intends to recover that money and return it to the Iranian people.
President Trump added that there have also been numerous defections from Iran’s military, saying he does not blame those who chose to leave.
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