Fact Check: Trump calls Iran's missile response 'very weak' despite escalating tensions.

Fact Check: Trump Calls Iran's Missile Response 'Very Weak' Despite Escalating Tensions

What We Know

On June 23, 2025, Iran launched a missile strike against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is a major U.S. military installation. This attack was reportedly in retaliation for recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. President Donald Trump responded to the missile attack by stating that Iran's response was "very weak" and expressed gratitude for Tehran's advance notice of the strike, which he claimed allowed for no casualties (source-1, source-2). Trump characterized the limited scale of the missile attack as a sign of restraint from Iran and suggested that it was an opportunity for peace (source-5, source-7).

Analysis

The claim that Trump referred to Iran's missile response as "very weak" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. In his social media posts, Trump explicitly stated that the missile barrage was "a very weak response, which we expected" (source-1, source-2). This characterization aligns with his broader narrative of seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, as he thanked Iran for the advance notice of the attack, which he claimed prevented casualties.

The sources reporting on Trump's comments include reputable news organizations such as Reuters, The New York Times, Axios, and The Guardian, which are generally considered reliable and have established editorial standards. However, it is worth noting that Trump's statements often reflect his political agenda and may not always align with objective assessments of military actions or international relations. His framing of the situation as an opportunity for peace may be seen as an attempt to downplay the severity of the conflict (source-5, source-7).

Conclusion

The claim that Trump called Iran's missile response "very weak" is True. His statements were made in the context of a broader narrative aimed at promoting peace and minimizing the perceived threat from Iran's actions. The evidence from multiple credible news sources confirms that Trump did indeed use this specific language in his public communications following the missile strike.

Fact Check: Trump calls Iran's missile response 'very weak' despite escalating tensions.