President Donald Trump connected the ongoing conflict with Iran to America's long fight against terrorism during a ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Trump described the effort against Iran as part of the broader war on terror, saluting service members currently engaged in operations to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons. "It is a war on sick, horrible terror," Trump said. "We salute our first responders and law enforcement, and we love them, and we salute the service members working right now to ensure the world's number one sponsor of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran, will never ever have a nuclear weapon."

The remarks came as the United States continues military operations against Iran, which Trump and administration officials have framed as an extension of post-9/11 counterterrorism efforts. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also addressed the link between the 2001 attacks and current operations during the event.

Trump emphasized resolve in the face of ongoing threats. "Today we renew the sacred oath that we first swore in their names a quarter of a century ago. We will never, ever forget. That's why we fight today," he stated. "We don't have a choice. It can only be victory. We fight hard. We fight to win."

The Pentagon ceremony focused on honoring the victims of the 2001 attacks and those who have served since, while underscoring the administration's national security priorities. Trump has previously stated he does not regret decisions related to confronting Iran's nuclear ambitions and would make the same choices again.

The event highlighted continuity in U.S. policy against state sponsors of terrorism, with officials drawing direct parallels between al Qaeda's attacks two and a half decades ago and the current challenge posed by Iran. Attendance of the event included military personnel and surviving family members of the 9/11 victims.