ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump claimed Monday that without US strikes on Iran, a nuclear war would have broken out and escalated into World War III, framing the military campaign as a necessity rather than a war of choice.

"This is a war that there would have been nothing left," Trump said, arguing the US had done "a great thing" by acting.

He warned that anyone who supported a nuclear-armed Iran had "something wrong" with them, claiming Tehran would have immediately used such weapons to destroy the broader Middle East, not just Israel.

Trump also blamed the Obama-era nuclear deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for bringing Iran close to building a nuclear weapon, claiming Tehran would have had one "three years ago" had he not withdrawn from the agreement and would have used it on Israel before targeting the US.

He also said that without sending B-2 stealth bombers into Iranian airspace last June, Iran would have had a nuclear weapon "within one month."

Iran has consistently rejected both characterizations. Iranian officials have repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has insisted that Tehran only targets US military bases and installations in the region, not neighboring countries themselves.

The claims echo the justifications Trump offered at the outset of the military campaign when he cited Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, which US envoy Steve Witkoff said was enough for multiple nuclear devices, as a core reason for launching the strikes.

The US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28 and have reportedly killed more than 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Fourteen US service members have been killed since the beginning of the campaign.

Trump says he can do 'anything I want with' Cuba

Turning to the Caribbean island nation of Cuba, Trump said he believes he will have the "honor of taking Cuba." The leaders of the "failed nation" are "talking to us," he said.

"Whether I free it, take it, I think I could do anything I want with it, you want to know the truth," he said.

"They're a very weakened nation right now. They were for a long time. Very violent leaders. (Former President Fidel) Castro was a very violent leader. His brother is a very violent leader. Extremely violent. That's how they governed. They governed with violence, but a lot of people would like to go back," he added.

*Michael Hernandez contributed to this report from Washington