Trump defends Iran war in Veterans Day address

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump defended the war against Iran on Wednesday at a US Veterans Day commemoration that saw his defence secretary publicly admonished for a lack of decorum.

"The bravery and skill of our amazing American warriors has absolutely been incredible," Trump said in an address at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington.

"When this conflict is over, and it will be soon, the entire world will be a much safer and better place, more peaceful place, and a place without the kind of danger that we had to suffer."

The war, which began on Feb 28 with US and Israeli strikes against Iran, has so far cost the lives of 23 US service members and wounded several hundred more, according to the latest Pentagon figures.

Trump said in his remarks that the conflict was started not by Washington but by Teheran, which "has been waging war on America since 1979". He stressed that US forces were acting to halt Iran's capacity to build a nuclear weapon.

Trump, 80, attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a sacred symbol for America's lost service members.

During his speech before troops, veterans and top officials in his administration, Trump namechecked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was in attendance, saying he had "done a fantastic job".

Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday blocked an effort — launched by an outgoing Republican lawmaker — to impeach Hegseth for allegedly waging war without congressional authorisation and abusing his powers as Pentagon chief.

Hegseth stirred even more controversy at the ceremony: an army sentinel watching over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimanded a small group of people that included Hegseth, his wife and several aides, when some of them laughed after posing for a picture in front of the sacred site.

"All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times," the sentinel called out, halting his patrol to face the group as they walked up some stairs to leave. Hegseth turned around to look at the guard.

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During his remarks, Trump brought up the issue of the 76-metre-tall triumphal arch he hopes to build just outside the cemetery, saying it would be dedicated "soon".

On Tuesday, the family of John F. Kennedy asked a court to prevent its construction, arguing that the massive structure would block views and cast shadows over the gravesites of the slain president and other Kennedy relatives buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

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