In a national address, US President Donald Trump spoke about the ongoing war with Iran, making several contentious statements. He allegedly claimed that "all of their original leaders" in Iran are dead and that the US is "totally independent" of Middle Eastern oil. However, a DW Fact Check analysis reveals that most of these assertions are false or misleading, casting doubt on the credibility of his remarks.
Trump purportedly stated, "Regime change was not our goal, but it has occurred because of all of their original leaders' death." This is misleading: while Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, he has been replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, suggesting continuity rather than change. Additionally, key figures such as President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei remain in their positions from before the war.
On economic matters, Trump claimed the US is "totally independent of the Middle East" and "doesn't need their oil." Data from the US Energy Information Administration contradicts this, showing that in 2025, 8.5% of US crude oil imports came from the Persian Gulf, totaling nearly 250 million barrels. Furthermore, the Office of the US Trade Representative reports that total imports from the Middle East in 2025 amounted to $56.9 billion, indicating ongoing economic ties.
Trump also asserted that the US has received "over $18 trillion in investments" since his last administration began. Official White House figures list only $10.5 trillion, and the claimed contributions from countries like the UAE and Qatar are questionable, as they exceed those nations' GDPs. This follows a pattern of Trump inflating investment numbers, with previous discrepancies noted in 2025.
The address raises concerns about the US war with Iran and its domestic political implications, particularly ahead of midterm elections in November. The false claims, including those about leadership changes and economic independence, highlight the challenges in verifying statements from the US regime and its impact on public discourse.
Source: www.dw.com