
English: 
.
MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THAT.

English: 
>> MAYBE.
>> YOU'RE AN EDUCATOR, RIGHT?
>> YEAH.
>> Announcer: THIS IS AN NBC 
NEWS SPECIAL REPORT.
HERE'S LESTER HOLT.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
WE'RE COMING ON THE AIR TO BRING
YOU THE FIRST PUBLIC REMARKS 
FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP FOLLOWING 
LAST NIGHT'S MISSILE ATTACK BY 
IRAN ON U.S. OCCUPIED BASES IN 
IRAQ.
THE LATEST IN WHAT IS SURELY THE
MOST PERILOUS IN U.S./IRAN 
RELATIONS IN MORE THAN 40 YEARS.
THIS CURRENT CRISIS BEGAN JUST 
12 DAYS AGO WITH AN ESCALATING 
EXCHANGE OF HOSTILITIES BETWEEN 
THE TWO COUNTRIES, LEADING TO AN
ATTACK ON THE U.S. EMBASSY IN 
BAGHDAD BY IRANIAN-BACKED 
PROTESTERS.
THEN FIVE DAYS AGO, A U.S. AIR 
STRIKE IN BAGHDAD, ORDERED BY 
PRESIDENT TRUMP, KILLED IRAN'S 
TOP GENERAL, QASSEM SOLEIMANI.
IRAN VOWED REVENS, AND LAST 
NIGHT IT CAME THROUGH.
THERE ARE INDICATIONSIRAN MAY 
HAVE AVOIDED FURTHER ESCALATION.
THE QUESTION NOW, OF COURSE, HOW
WILL PRESIDENT TRUMP RESPOND?

Spanish: 
>>> Y ERES UN EDUCADOR, ¿NO?
ESTE ES UN INFORME ESPECIAL DE 
LA NBC.
 HAY UNAS COMPRAS PALABRAS DEL 
PRESIDENTE TRUMP EN LO QUE ES 
UNO DE LOS MOMENTOS MÁS 
IMPORTANTES DE LAS RELACIONES 
ENTRE IRÁN Y ESTADOS UNIDOS. 
ESTO DEBIDO A LAS ATAQUES QUE ES
RECIBIR SUFRIÓ LA EMBAJADA DE 
ESTADOS UNIDOS EN IRÁN EL 

Spanish: 
ASESINATO O DE UN IMPORTANTE 
GENERAL IRANÍ Y LOS ATAQUES A 
BASES AÉREAS DE ESTADOS UNIDOS.
 VEREMOS CÓMO VA A RESPONDER EL 
PRESIDENTE TRUMP. TUVO QUE HACER
ALGUNOS AJUSTES EN SUS PALABRAS 
PERO LO ESPERAMOS EN POCOS 
MOMENTOS.
 TENEMOS NUESTRA CORRESPONSAL A 
LA CASA BLANCA.
 LESTER ESTOY EN ESTA SALA DONDE
EL PRESIDENTE SE DIRIGIRÁ LA  
NACIÓN POR PRIMERA VEZ DESDE EL 
ATAQUE.
 LA GRAN PREGUNTA ES SI 
ANUNCIARÁ REPRESALIAS O IBA A 
DESACELERAR LAS ACCIONES.
 PARECE QUE NO VIERON MUERTES,  
DIJO QUE HASTA AHORA TODO ESTABA
BIEN.

English: 
HE WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE WHITE
HOUSE MOMENTS FROM NOW.
THINGS ARE SET THERE.
WE HAVE INDICATIONS THAT THEY'VE
BEEN MAKING PERHAPS SOME 
LAST-MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS TO HIS 
REMARKS.
WE EXPECT THE PRESIDENT TO 
EMERGE SHORTLY.
IN THE MEANTIME, NBC'S KRISTEN 
WELKER IS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
KRISTEN, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?
>> Reporter: LESTER, GOOD 
MORNING.
I'M IN THE GRAND FOYER WHERE WE 
ARE WAITING FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP 
TO ADDRESS THE NATION FOR THE 
FIRST TIME SINCE THOSE ATTACKS 
OVERNIGHT.
THE BIG QUESTION, WILL PRESIDENT
TRUMP ANNOUNCE A RETALIATION 
AGAINST IRAN, OR WILL HE 
ANNOUNCE A DE-ESCALATION?
IF YOU LOOK TO THE TWEET THAT HE
SENT OUT LAST NIGHT, IT WAS NOT 
FIRE AND BRIMSTONE.
INSTEAD, IT SEEMED TO POINT TO 
THE FACT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO
FATALITIES REPORTED.
HE SAID, SO FAR, SO GOOD.
WE ANTICIPATE WHAT HE WILL SAY.
WE KNOW THAT DEMOCRATS AND 
REPUBLICANS ARE CALLING ON THE 
ADMINISTRATION TO DE-ESCALATE.
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS HAD A BUSY 
MORNING.
HE SPENT PART OF IT IN THE 
SITUATION ROOM WITH THE VICE 
PRESIDENT, A NUMBER OF OTHER TOP

English: 
OFFICIALS.
WE ARE TOLD THAT HE WILL BE 
JOINED BY THE VICE PRESIDENT 
WHEN HE COMES TO THE PODIUM IN 
JUST A FEW MOMENTS FROM NOW.
LESTER, THEY HAVE BEEN 
MONITORING THE DEVELOPMENTS 
OVERNIGHT, REACHING OUT TO 
DEMOCRATS, REACHING OUT TO 
REPUBLICANS, TRYING TO MAKE SURE
THAT THEY ARE BRIEFED ON THIS 
SITUATION AND THE DEVELOPMENTS 
ABROAD.
I ANTICIPATE WE WOULD HEAR 
PRESIDENT TRUMP DEFEND HIS 
DECISION TO TAKE OUT IRAN'S TOP 
GENERAL.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE THE 
CASE HE POSED AN IMMINENT THREAT
TO THE U.S.
DEMOCRATS HAVE SAID THEY WANT TO
SEE THE EVIDENCE.
WE KNOW TOP OFFICIALS WILL BE 
BRIEFING THE FULL CONGRESS LATER
TODAY.
LESTER, WE ARE HERE WAITING FOR 
PRESIDENT TRUMP BEHIND ME, 
SEATED A NUMBER OF NATIONAL 
SECURITY OFFICIALS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE SEE SOME OF THE PRINCIPALS 
NOW TAKING THEIR POSITION AT THE
PODIUM.
THE LEADERSHIP AS WE WAIT FOR 
THE PRESIDENT TO EMERGE QUICKLY,
LET'S GO TO COURTNEY KUBE AT THE
PENTAGON.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
>> Reporter: WE'RE WAITING TO 
SEE EXACTLY WHAT WE HEARD FROM 
KRISTEN WELKER.
THAT'S WHAT WILL PRESIDENT 

Spanish: 
 LOS DEMÓCRATAS ESTÁN LLAMANDO A
UNA DESACELERACIÓN DE LAS 
HOSTILIDADES.
 NOS DICEN QUE ESTARÁ CON EL 
VICEPRESIDENTE EN EL ESTRADO EN 
UNOS MOMENTOS.
 ESTÁN TRATANDO DE REUNIRSE CON 
LOS DEMÓCRATAS PARA QUE SEPAS LO
QUE ESTÁ OCURRIENDO EN EL M
MOMENTO Y LO QUE ESTÁ OCURRIENDO
EN EL EXTERIOR. EL PRESIDENTE VA
A DEFENDER SU DECISIÓN DE 
ASESINAR A ESTE GENERAL, POR QÉE
ERA UNA AMENAZA. LOS DEMÓCRATAS 
QUIEREN TENER PRUEBA DE ESTO. 
DETRÁS MÍO HAY VARIOS PERSONAS 
IMPORTANTES.
 VEMOS QUE LOS LÍDERES ESTÁN 
LLEGANDO AL ESTRADO.

Spanish: 
 TODOS ESTAMOS ESPERANDO SABER 
QUÉ ES LO QUE EL PRESIDENTE DE 
LA, CUAL SERÁ SU TONO.  LUEGO DE
LA MUERTE DE QASEM SOLEIMANI. Y 
HABRÁ ALGÚN OTRO ATAQUE. SABEMOS
AHORA QUE NO VIERON MUERTES DE 
ESTADOUNIDENSES EN LOS ATAQUES. 
COMO VA A IMPACTAR ESTO EN LA 
DECISIÓN DEL PRESIDENTE? MUCHAS 
GRACIAS
 VAMOS A IR A DONDE ESTÁ DICHA 
EN 

English: 
TRUMP, WHAT KIND OF TONE WILL HE
TAKE HERE THIS MORNING?
WE HAD THIS KILLING OF SOLEIMANI
DAYS AGO.
THE U.S. MILITARY IN THE ENSUING
DAYS POSTURING FOR AN OFFENSIVE,
ANY KIND OF ATTACK FROM IRAN, 
PREPARING FOR THE ATTACK TO COME
ON TO A U.S. MILITARY INSULATION
IN IRAQ, JUST IN THE LAST HOURS.
WE KNOW NOW THAT THE CASUALTY 
COUNT IS ZERO.
THERE WERE NO AMERICANS KILLED 
IN THESE STRIKES.
HOW THERE THAT IMPACT PRESIDENT 
TRUMP'S DECISION TO RESPOND?
WILL THIS BE A MILITARY -- ANY 
KIND OF A MILITARY RESPONSE, OR 
THE FACT THAT THE CASUALTY COUNT
IS ZERO, DOES THAT MEAN THAT, IN
FACT, IT'LL BE A LARGER 
DIPLOMATIC RESPONSE, LESTER?
>> THANK YOU, COURTNEY KUBE.
LET'S GO QUICKLY TO IRAQ RIGHT 
NOW, WHERE RICHARD ENGEL IS IN 
ERBIL, ONE OF THE -- NEAR ONE OF
THE PLACES THAT WAS ATTACKED.
RICHARD, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED 
THERE THIS MORNING?
>> Reporter: WELL, RIGHT NOW, WE
ARE IN A WAIT AND SEE MODE.
IRAN SAYS IT WILL NOT CARRY OUT 
MORE ATTACKS UNLESS THERE IS A 
COUNTERATTACK FROM THE UNITED 
STATES.

Spanish: 
RICHAR QUE SABES?
 IRÁN NO VA A REALIZAR MÁS 
ATAQUES A MENOS DE QUE  LOS 
ESTADOS UNIDOS. REACCIONES
 RICHAR TENEMOS QUE VOLVER.
 IRÁN NUNCA PODRÁ TE TENER ARMA 
NUCLEARES. LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS 
DEBERÍAN ESTAR AGRADECIDOS Y 
FELICES PORQUE NINGÚN 
ESTADOUNIDENSE FUE HERIDO POR EL
RÉGIMEN IRANÍ ANOCHE.  NUESTROS 
SOLDADOS ESTÁN A SALVO,  HUBO 
DAÑO MENOR EN NUESTRAS BASES.  
LAS FUERZAS ESTADOUNIDENSES 
ESTÁN LISTAS PARA TODO.  IRÁN 

English: 
>> RICHARD, WE'LL HAVE TO MOVE 
BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
THE PRESIDENT NOW AT THE PODIUM.
>> AS LONG AS I AM PRESIDENT OF 
THE UNITED STATES, IRAN WILL 
NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HAVE A 
NUCLEAR WEAPON.
GOOD MORNING.
I'M PLEASED TO INFORM YOU, THE 
AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD BE 
EXTREMELY GRATEFUL AND HAPPY.
NO AMERICANS WERE HARMED IN LAST
NIGHT'S ATTACK BY THE IRANIAN 
REGIME.
WE SUFFERED NO CASUALTIES.
ALL OF OUR SOLDIERS ARE SAFE.
ONLY MINIMAL DAMAGE WAS 
SUSTAINED AT OUR MILITARY BASES.
OUR GREAT AMERICAN FORCES ARE 
PREPARED FOR ANYTHING.
IRAN APPEARS TO BE STANDING 
DOWN, WHICH IS A GOOD THING FOR 

Spanish: 
PARECE RETROCEDER LO QUE ES 
EXCELENTE PARA AMBAS PARTES Y 
PARA EL MUNDO.  NINGÚNA  PERSONA
MURIÓ DEBIDO A LAS PRECAUCIONES 
QUE SE TOMARON.  HUBO UN SISTEMA
DE ALARMA QUE FUNCIONÓ MUY BIEN.
SALUDO A LAS PERSONAS QUE 
TRABAJAN EN LA MILICIA.  LAS 
NACIONES HAN TOLERADO EL 
COMPORTAMIENTO DIRÁN PERO ESOS 
DÍAS TERMINARON.  IRÁN HA 
AUSPICIADO EL TERRORISMO Y LAS 
ARMAS NUCLEARES SON UNA AMENAZA 
PARA EL MUNDO CIVILIZADO. NO 

English: 
ALL PARTIES CONCERNED, AND A 
VERY GOOD THING FOR THE WORLD.
NO AMERICAN OR IRAQI LIVES WERE 
LOST BECAUSE OF THE PRECAUTIONS 
TAKEN TO DISPERSE ALL THE FORCES
AND AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM THAT
WORKED VERY WELL.
I SALUTE THE INCREDIBLE SKILL 
AND COURAGE OF AMERICA'S MEN AND
WOMEN IN UNIFORM.
FOR FAR TOO LONG, ALL THE WAY 
BACK TO 1979 TO BE EXACT, 
NATIONS HAVE TOLERATED IRAN'S 
DESTRUCTIVE AND DESTABILIZING 
BEHAVIOR IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND 
BEYOND.
THOSE DAYS ARE OVER.
IRAN HAS BEEN THE LEADING 
SPONSOR OF TERRORISM, AND THEIR 
PURSUIT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS 
THREATENS THE CIVILIZED WORLD.
WE WILL NEVER LET THAT HAPPEN.
LAST WOKE, WE TOOK DECISIVE 
ACTION TO STOP A RUTHLESS 
TERRORIST FROM THREATENING 

English: 
AMERICAN LIVES.
AT MY DIRECTION, THE UNITED 
STATES MILITARY ELIMINATED THE 
WORLD'S TOP TERRORIST, QASSEM 
SOLEIMANI.
AS THE HEAD OF THE QUDS FORCE, 
SOLEIMANI WAS PERSONALLY 
RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE 
ABSOLUTELY WORST ATROCITIES.
HE TRAINED TERRORIST ARMIES, 
INCLUDING HEZBOLLAH, LAUNCHING 
TERRORIST STRIKES AGAINST 
CIVILIAN TARGETS.
HE FUELED BLOODY CIVIL WARS ALL 
ACROSS THE REGION.
HE VICIOUSLY WOUNDED AND 
MURDERED THOUSANDS OF U.S. 
P
TROOPS, INCLUDING THE PLANTING 
OF ROADSIDE BOMBS THAT MAIM AND 
DISMEMBER THEIR VICTIMS.
SOLEIMANI DIRECTED THE RECENT 
ATTACKS ON U.S. PERSONNEL IN 
IRAQ THAT BADLY WOUNDED FOUR 
SERVICE MEMBERS AND KILLED ONE 
AMERICAN.
HE ORCHESTRATED THE VIOLENT 
ASSAULT ON THE U.S. EMBASSY IN 

Spanish: 
DEJAREMOS QUE ESO OCURRA. LA 
SEMANA PASADA TUVIMOS LA D
DECISIÓN DE DETENER LA AMENAZA A
LAS VIDAS DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS.
ELIMINAMOS A UNO DE LOS MAYORES 
TERRORISTAS, QASEM SOLEIMANI 
COMO JEFE DE SUS TROPAS,  ÉL FUE
RESPONSABLE DE LAS PEORES 
ATROCIDADES.  ÉL ENTRENÓ INCLUSO
A HEZBOLLAH ENVIANDO ATAQUES A 
CIVILES.  PRODUJO TERROR EN TODA
LA REGIÓN.  PLANTÓ BOMBAS QUE 
DESMEMBRAR ON A SUS PRIMAS.  ÉL 

English: 
BAGHDAD.
IN RECENT DAYS, HE WAS PLANNING 
NEW ATTACKS ON AMERICAN TARGETS,
BUT WE STOPPED HIM.
SOLEIMANI'S HANDS WERE DRENCHED 
IN BOTH AMERICAN AND IRANIAN 
BLOOD.
HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TERMINATED 
LONG AGO.
BY REMOVING SOLEIMANI, WE HAVE 
SENT A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO 
TERRORISTS.
IF YOU VALUE YOUR OWN LIFE, YOU 
WILL NOT THREATEN THE LIVES OF 
OUR PEOPLE.
AS WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE 
OPTIONS IN RESPONSE TO IRANIAN 
AGGRESSION, THE UNITED STATES 
WILL IMMEDIATELY IMPOSE 
ADDITIONAL PUNISHING ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS ON THE IRANIAN REGIME.
THESE POWERFUL SANCTIONS WILL 
REMAIN UNTIL IRAN CHANGES ITS 
BEHAVIOR.
IN RECENT MONTHS ALONE, IRAN HAS
SEIZED SHIPS IN INTERNATIONAL 
WATERS, FIRED AN UNPROVOKED 

Spanish: 
ORGANIZÓ LOS ÚLTIMOS ATAQUES A 
LAS FUERZAS DE ESTADOS UNIDOS EN
LA ZONA.  Y TAMBIÉN EN LA 
EMBAJADA DE BAGDAD DE LOS 
ESTADOS UNIDOS.  LOS HOMBRES 
ESTÁN EMPAPADOS DE SANGRE IRANÍ 
Y ESTADOUNIDENSE.  DEBIÓ SER 
ELIMINADO HACE MUCHO TIEMPO.  
CON ESTO MANDAMOS EL MENSAJE DE 
QUE SI VA VALORAN SU VIDA DEBEN 
PARA EL HOGAR LA VIDA DE LOS 
OTROS.  ESTAS SANCIONES SE 
MANTENDRÁ CONTRA IRÁN HASTA QUE 

English: 
STRIKE ON SAUDI ARABIA, AND SHOT
DOWN TWO U.S. DRONES.
IRAN'S HOSTILITIES SUBSTANTIALLY
INCREASED AFTER THE FOOLISH IRAN
NUCLEAR DEAL WAS SIGNED IN 2013.
THEY WERE GIVEN $150 BILLION, 
NOT TO MENTION $1.8 BILLION IN 
CASH.
INSTEAD OF SAYING "THANK YOU" TO
THE UNITED STATES, THEY CHANTED 
"DEATH TO AMERICA."
IN FACT, THEY CHANTED "DEATH TO 
AMERICA" THE DAY THE AGREEMENT 
WAS SIGNED.
THEN IRAN WENT ON A TERROR 
SPREE, FUNDED BY THE MONEY FROM 
THE DEAL, AND CREATED HELL IN 
YEMEN, SYRIA, LEBANON, 
AFGHANISTAN, AND IRAQ.
THE MISSILES FIRED LAST NIGHT AT
US AND OUR ALLIES WERE PAID FOR 
WITH THE FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE BY
THE LAST ADMINISTRATION.
THE REGIME ALSO GREATLY 

Spanish: 
CAMBIE SU COMPORTAMIENTO.  HAN 
HABIDO BARCOS EN LA ZONA QUE HAN
RECIBIDO ATAQUES SIN PRO
PROVOCACIÓN.  LAS HOSTILIDADES 
AUMENTARON LUEGO DE QUE SE 
FIRMARA UN TRATADO EL 2013 LES 
DIERON MILES DE MILLONES DE 
DÓLARES Y EN VEZ DE AGRADECERLE 
A LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS AMENAZAN DE
MUERTE.  DE HECHO AMENAZARON EL 
MISMO DÍA QUE SE FIRMÓ EL 
TRATADO,  LUEGO SE DEDICARON AL 
TERRORISMO EN YEMEN D, SIRIA,  

English: 
TIGHTENED THE REINS ON THEIR OWN
COUNTRY, EVEN RECENTLY KILLING 
1,500 PEOPLE AT THE MANY 
PROTESTS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE 
ALL THROUGHOUT IRAN.
THE VERY DEFECTIVE JCPOA EXPIRES
SHORTLY ANYWAY AND GIVES IRAN A 
CLEAR AND QUICK PATH TO NUCLEAR 
BREAKOUT.
IRAN MUST ABANDON ITS NUCLEAR 
AMBITIONS AND END ITS SUPPORT 
FOR TERRORISM.
THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE UNITED
KINGDOM, GERMANY, FRANCE, 
RUSSIA, AND CHINA TO RECOGNIZE 
THIS REALITY.
THEY MUST NOW BREAKAWAY FROM THE
REMNANTS OF THE IRAN DEAL, OR 
JCPOA.
WE MUST ALL WORK TOGETHER TOWARD
MAKING A DEAL WITH IRAN THAT 
MAKES THE WORLD A SAFER AND MORE
PEACEFUL PLACE.
WE MUST ALSO MAKE A DEAL THAT 

Spanish: 
AFGANISTÁN Y OTRAS  PAÍSES. EL 
RÉGIMEN TAMBIÉN FUE MUY DURO CON
SU PROPIO PAÍS INCLUSO MATÓ 
PERSONAS EN LAS PROTESTAS QUE 
REALIZABAN EN IRÁN UNAS 1500 
PERSONAS. IRÁN DEBE ABANDONAR 
VISIONES NUCLEARES Y EL POLL AL 
TERRAPOYO  
AL TERRORISMO.
 RUSIA Y CHINA DEBEN ENFRENTAR 
ESTAS AMENAZAS Y DARLE LA 
ESPALDA A IRÁN.  DEBEMOS 

Spanish: 
TRABAJAR JUNTOS PARA FIRMAR UN
TRATADO CON IRÁN QUE HAGA AL 
MUNDO UN LUGAR MÁS SEGURO.
 IRÁN PUEDE SER UN LUGAR 
EXCELENTE,  NO HABRÁ PAZ Y E
ESTABILIDAD EN EL MEDIO OESTE 
MIENTRAS SE FOMENTE LA VIOLENCIA
Y LA GUERRA.
 EL MUNDO CIVILIZADO DEBE MANDAR
UN MENSAJE AL RÉGIMEN,  NO SE 
PUEDE MATAR PERSONAS,  NO SE 
TOLERARÁ.
 HOY VOY A PEDIRLE A LA OTAN QUE
SE INVOLUCRE MÁS EN EL MEDIO 
OESTE Y SU PROCESO.  EN LOS 
ÚLTIMOS TRES AÑOS BAJO MI 

English: 
ALLOWS IRAN TO THRIVE AND 
PROSPER AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 
ITS ENORMOUS, UNTAPPED 
POTENTIAL.
IRAN CAN BE A GREAT COUNTRY.
PEACE AND STABILITY CANNOT 
PREVAIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST AS 
LONG AS IRAN CONTINUES TO FOMENT
VIOLENCE, UNREST, HATRED, AND 
WAR.
THE CIVILIZED WORLD MUST SEND A 
CLEAR AND UNIFIED MESSAGE TO THE
IRANIAN REGIME.
YOUR CAMPAIGN OF TERROR, MURDER,
MAYHEM, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED 
ANY LONGER.
IT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO 
FORWARD.
TODAY, I AM GOING TO ASK NATO TO
BECOME MUCH MORE INVOLVED IN THE
MIDDLE EAST PROCESS.
OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, UNDER
MY LEADERSHIP, OUR ECONOMY IS 
STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE, AND 
AMERICA HAS ACHIEVED ENERGY 
INDEPENDENCE.
THESE HISTORIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS 
CHANGED OUR STRATEGIC PRYOR TIS.

English: 
THESE ARE ACCOMPLISHMENTS NOBODY
THOUGHT WERE POSSIBLE.
AND OPTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST 
BECAME AVAILABLE.
WE ARE NOW THE NUMBER ONE 
PRODUCER OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS 
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
WE ARE INDEPENDENT, AND WE DO 
NOT NEED MIDDLE EAST OIL.
THE AMERICAN MILITARY HAS BEEN 
COMPLETELY REBUILT UNDER MY 
ADMINISTRATION AT A COST OF $2.5
TRILLION.
U.S. ARMED FORCES ARE STRONGER 
THAN EVER BEFORE.
OUR MISSILES ARE BIG, POWERFUL, 
ACCURATE, LETHAL, AND FAST.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE MANY 
HYPERSONIC MISSILES.
THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THIS GREAT
MILITARY AND EQUIPMENT, HOWEVER,
DOES NOT MEAN WE HAVE TO USE IT.
WE DO NOT WANT TO USE IT.
AMERICAN STRENGTH, BOTH MILITARY
AND ECONOMIC, IS THE BEST 

Spanish: 
LIDERAZGO LA ECONOMÍA ESTÁ MÁS 
FUERTE QUE NUNCA.  ESTE LOGRO 
HISTÓRICO FUE ALGO QUE NADIE 
PENSÓ POSIBLE.  SE ABRIERON 
OPCIONES EN EL MEDIO OESTE,  
AHORA SOMOS EL MAYOR PRODUCTOR 
DE PETRÓLEO Y GAS NATURAL,  YA 
NO NECESITAMOS EL CRUDO DE EL 
MEDIO OESTE.  LAS FUERZAS 
ARMADAS SON MÁS FUERTES QUE 
NUNCA.  NUESTROS MISILES SON 
GRANDES,  PODEROSOS LETALES Y 
RÁPIDOS.  EL HECHO DE QUE 
TENEMOS ESTE EQUIPO Y ESTAS 
FUERZAS NO SIGNIFICA QUE 

Spanish: 
TENGAMOS QUE USAR LAS,  NO 
QUEREMOS USARLA.
 NUESTRA ECONOMÍA FUERTE ES 
NUESTRO MAYOR PODER.
 EN EL TERRITORIO DEL CALAFATE 
ASESINA AMOS AL-BAGHDADI QUE FUE
EL AUTOR DE MUCHAS MUERTES.  ÉL 
ERA UN MOST MONSTRUO.  DECENAS 
DE MILES DE GUERREROS DE ISIS 
HAN MUERTO.  ISIS ES EL ENEMIGO 
DE IRÁN Y SU DESTRUCCIÓN ES 
BUENA PARA ESE PAÍS.  DEBEMOS 
TRABAJAR JUNTOS EN ESTA Y OTRAS 

English: 
DETERRENT.
THREE MONTHS AGO, AFTER 
DESTROYING 100% OF ISIS AND ITS 
TERRITORIAL CALIPHATE, WE KILLED
THE SAVAGE LEADER OF ISIS, AL 
BAGHDADI, WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE 
FOR SO MUCH DEATH, INCLUDING THE
BEHEADINGS OF CHRISTIANS, 
MUSLIMS, AND ALL WHO STOOD IN 
HIS WAY.
HE WAS A MONSTER.
AL BAGHDADI WAS TRYING AGAIN TO 
REBUILD THE ISIS CALIPHATE AND 
FAILED.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ISIS 
FIGHTERS HAVE BEEN KILLED OR 
CAPTURED DURING MY 
ADMINISTRATION.
ISIS IS A NATURAL ENEMY OF IRAN.
THE DESTRUCTION OF ISIS IS GOOD 
FOR IRAN.
WE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER ON THIS 
AND OTHER SHARED PRIORITIES.
FINALLY, TO THE PEOPLE AND 

Spanish: 
PRIORIDADES.
 FINALMENTE, PARA IRÁN Y SU 
PUEBLO QUEREMOS QUE TENGAN UN 
MUY BUEN FUTURO.  CON 
PROSPERIDAD Y ARMONÍA  CON LAS 
NACIONES DEL MUNDO.  LOS ESTADOS
UNIDOS ESTÁN LISTOS PARA ABRAZAR
LA PAZ. 
 QUIERO AGRADECERLES Y QUE DIOS 
BENDIGA A LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS.
 GRACIAS.
 SE PUEDE ESCUCHAR A LOS 
PERIODISTAS PIDIENDO PREGUNTAS.
 ESTA FUE LA PRIMERA REACCIÓN
DEL PRESIDENTE FRENTE A LOS 
ATAQUES A LAS BASES MILITARES.

English: 
LEADERS OF IRAN, WE WANT YOU TO 
HAVE A FUTURE AND A GREAT 
FUTURE, ONE THAT YOU DESERVE.
ONE OF PROSPERITY AT HOME AND 
HARMONY WITH THE NATIONS OF THE 
WORLD.
THE UNITED STATES IS READY TO 
EMBRACE PEACE WITH ALL WHO SEEK 
IT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AND GOD 
BLESS AMERICA.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
>> YOU CAN HEAR REPORTERS IN THE
ROOM ASKING QUESTIONS.
THE PRESIDENT TAKING NONE AS HE 
CONCLUDES HIS REMARKS.
HIS FIRST REACTION TO THE 
IRANIAN ATTACK ON U.S. OCCUPIED 
BASES IN IRAQ.
THE PRESIDENT, FRANKLY, DIDN'T 
HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE 
ATTACK ITSELF.
IN TERMS OF A RESPONSE, HE SAID 
THEY WILL IMPOSE NEW SANCTIONS.
THE U.S. HAS ALREADY IMPOSED 
SOME OF THE HARSHEST SANCTIONS 
ON IRAN.
APPARENTLY, PREPARED TO DO MORE.
THERE WAS NO TALK OF ANY 
MILITARY RESPONSE IN THE WAY WE 
HEARD THE PRESIDENT THERE OVER 

Spanish: 
 DIJO QUE VAN A IMPONER NUEVAS 
SANCIONES SOBRE IRÁN.  NO SE 
HABLÓ DE UNA RESPUESTA MILITAR.
 QUEREMOS HABLAR CON ANDREA 
MITCHELL.
 QUE NOTASTE EN SUS PALABRAS?
 HUBO UNA COMBINACIÓN DE 
OPOSICIÓN A LAS ACCIONES DE 
OBAMA CONTRA EL RÉGIMEN.  Y 
TAMBIÉN CULPÓ AL RÉGIMEN PREVIO 
POR FINANCIAR EL TERRORISMO.
 ADEMÁS LO QUE DIJO ACERCA DE 
QASEM SOLEIMANI.  PERO ES 

English: 
THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS.
I WANT TO GO TO ANDREA MITCHELL,
WHO HAS BEEN WATCHING ALONG WITH
ME.
OUR CHIEF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
CORRESPONDENT, ANDREA, WHAT DID 
YOU NOTE IN THE PRESIDENT'S 
REMARKS?
>> IT WAS A FASCINATING 
COMBINATION OF THE PRESIDENT'S 
LONG-STANDING OBJECTIONS TO THE 
OBAMA NUCLEAR DEAL, THE IRAN 
DEAL HE GOT OUT OF IN MAY OF 
2018, AND BLAMING THE PREVIOUS 
ADMINISTRATION FOR FINANCING THE
MISSILES HE SAYS WERE FIRED BY 
IRAN LAST NIGHT.
NO RETALIATION, NO MILITARY 
RETALIATION FROM THE U.S.
SOUNDING TOUGH.
OF COURSE, WHAT HE SAID ABOUT 
SOLEIMANI, SAYING THAT HIS HANDS
WERE DRENCHED WITH BLOOD.
FOR ALL THE TOUGH TALK AND THE 
THREAT OF NEW ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS -- AND IT IS HARD TO 
IMAGINE WHAT HAS NOT BEEN 
SANCTIONED BECAUSE THEY'VE 
ALREADY SANCTIONED THE CENTRAL 
BANK.
THE FEDERAL RESERVE BASICALLY OF
IRAN.
NO ONE CAN MOVE MONEY ON THE 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES THROUGH 
IRAN.
IRAN HAS BEEN CRIPPLED 
ECONOMICALLY BY THE SANCTIONS AS

English: 
THEY STEPPED THEM UP.
BUT THE OTHER THING IS, BY 
SAYING AGAIN, AS HE HAS SAID FOR
YEARS, IN THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL,
HE PROVIDED -- THAT THE OBAMA 
ADMINISTRATION PROVIDED $150 
MILLION, THAT IS NOT FACTUALLYI 
ASSETS FROZEN IN 179 WHEN THEY 
TOOK THE 52 HOSTAGES AND TOOK 
OVER THE EMBASSY.
THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL DID ALLOW 
IRAN TO GET BACK ITS OWN ASSETS,
AND THAT'S A LOT OF THE MONEY HE
IS DESCRIBING. 
>> LET ME GO TO KRISTEN WELKER 
RIGHT NOW WHO IS IN THE ROOM AT 
THE WHITE HOUSE.
OR WAS AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND 
WATCHING ALONG WITH US.
I NOTED THE PRESIDENT, ONCE 
AGAIN, DEFENDING HIS DECISION TO
GO AFTER SOLEIMANI.
I DIDN'T HEAR THE WORD "IMMINENT
THREAT" WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT THE
THREAT.
THERE'S BEEN MIXED MESSAGING ON 
THAT ISSUE.
>> Reporter: THAT'S A REALLY 
IMPORTANT POINT, LESTER.
YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
PRESIDENT TRUMP GAVE A VERY 

Spanish: 
DIFÍCIL CREER QUE OTRAS 
SANCIONES ECONÓMICAS VAN A PODER
IMPONER.  IRÁN HA SIDO AMARRADA 
POR MUCHAS SANCIONES.  PERO EN 
EL TRATO QUE IRÁN FIRMÓ CON 
OBAMA SE ENTREGÓ MILES DE M
MILLONES DE DÓLARES,  ESO NO ES 
CORRECTO.  ESOS FONDOS SE 
CONGELARON EN 1979 CUANDO ELLOS 
SECUESTRARON PERSONAS. 
>>> ANDREA DÉJAME IR CON OTRA 
PERIODISTA.
 NOTO QUE EL PRESIDENTE DEFENDÓO
SU DECISIÓN DE ASESINAR A QASEM 
SOLEIMANI.   PERO A COMENTARIOS 

Spanish: 
ENCONTRADOS.
>>> ES VERDAD EL PRESIDENTE 
DEFENDIÓ SU DECISIÓN.  AL MISMO 
TIEMPO SUBRAYÓ LO QUE ESTE 
GENERAL HABÍA HECHO QUE SUS 
MANOS ESTABAN LLENAS DE SANGRE. 
PERO NO DIJO CUÁL ERA LA AMENAZA
INMINENTE.  NO ESCUCHAMOS ESE 
TIPO DE COMENTARIOS DEL 
PRESIDENTE TRUMP.  LA PREGUNTA 
ES SI HAY EVIDENCIA QUE SERÁ 
ENTREGADA AL CONGRESO CUANDO SE 
REÚNAN MÁS TARDE EL DÍA DE HOY.
 HAY DEMÓCRATAS Y ALGUNOS 
REPUBLICANOS QUE DICEN QUE LA 

English: 
ROBUST DEFENSE OF HIS DECISION 
TO TAKE OUT IRAN'S TOP GENERAL, 
QASSEM SOLEIMANI.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE REALLY 
STRESSED SOLEIMANI'S BACKGROUND.
THE FACT HIS HANDS ARE DRENCHED 
WITH BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF 
AMERICANS AND HIS FELLOW 
IRANIANS.
YET, HE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT WHAT 
EXACTLY THAT IMMINENT THREAT 
WAS.
WHAT DID IT LOOK LIKE?
A DAY EARLIER, HIS DEFENSE 
SECRETARY SAID THAT THERE WAS, 
IN FACT, AN IMMINENT THREAT.
HE WAS TRACKING IT WITHIN DAYS.
WE DIDN'T HEAR THAT LANGUAGE 
FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP.
SO THE QUESTION BECOMES, AS WE 
LOOK FORWARD TO THE REST OF THIS
DAY, WHAT, IF ANY, EVIDENCE WILL
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS 
PROVIDE TO THE FULL CONGRESS 
WHEN THEY BRIEF THEM LATER ON 
TODAY?
WE KNOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE, 
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILL BE
AMONG THE BRIEFERS.
YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS AND SOME 
REPUBLICANS SAYING THAT, 
ESSENTIALLY, THE ADMINISTRATION 
SHOULD DECLASSIFY THE 
INTELLIGENCE THAT IS BEHIND THE 
PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO GO AFTER
SOLEIMANI IN THE FIRST PLACE.
SO FAR, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS 
SAID THEY HAVEN'T MADE A 

Spanish: 
INFORMACIÓN DEBE SER PUBLICADA 
QUE NO PUEDE SER SECRETA.  POR 
AHORA LA ADMINISTRACIÓN NO HA 
TOMADO UNA DECISIÓN AL RESPECTO.
HAY UN. MÁS,  IRÁN PARECE ESTAR 
RETROCEDIENDO.  LA PREGUNTA SI 
EL PRESIDENTE ESTÁ RETROCEDIENDO
DE MANERA MILITAR.  LE PREGUNTÉ 
SI ÉL HABÍA DESCARTADO ALGUNA 
ACCIÓN MILITAR,  PERO NO 
RESPONDIÓ A NINGUNA PREGUNTA.
>>> GRACIAS.
 ESTAMOS MUY AGRADECIDOS DE QUE 
NOS HAYAN PERDIDO VIDAS EN ESOS 
ATAQUES A LAS BASES MILITARES.

English: 
DECISION ABOUT THAT.
LESTER, YOU CAN BET THEY ARE 
GOING TO GET PRESSURED ON THAT.
I WOULD MAKE ONE MORE POINT.
YOU HEARD PRESIDENT TRUMP SAY 
THAT IRAN SEEMS TO BE STANDING 
DOWN.
THE QUESTION BECOMES, IS THE 
PRESIDENT STANDING DOWN 
MILITARILY?
HE PUT THE FOCUS ON SANCTIONS.
I TRIED TO ASK HIM AS HE WAS 
LEAVING IF HE HAD RULED OUT ANY 
TYPE OF MILITARY RETALIATION.
HE DIDN'T ANSWER ANY OF OUR 
QUESTIONS.
YOU CAN BET THAT THOSE WILL BE 
AMONG THE QUESTIONS THAT 
LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE LATER ON 
TODAY.
LESTER?
>> KRISTEN, THANKS.
YEAH, THE PRESIDENT COMING OUT 
IN HIS FIRST REMARKS.
AMERICANS SHOULD BE GRATEFUL AND
HAPPY THAT NO AMERICAN 
CASUALTIES, THERE WAS MINIMAL 
DAMAGE IN THE ATTACKS.
CERTAINLY, WE ARE ALL GRATEFUL 
THERE WAS NO LOSS OF LIFE.
LET ME BRING IN NBC NEWS ANALYST
AND FORMER U.S. DEPUTY ASSISTANT
SECRETARY FOR IRAQ AND IRAN, 
BRETT McGERK.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
YOU TALKED LAST NIGHT ABOUT 
EVERYONE KIND OF TAKING A STEP 
BACK.
DOES IT OCCUR THAT STEP BACK HAS

English: 
OCCURRED, THAT WE ARE AT A POINT
NOW WHERE, YOU KNOW, CLEAR 
THINKING IS PREVAILING?
>> I WOULD INJECT A NOTE OF 
CAUTION.
I THINK FOLLOWING WHAT KRISTEN 
EMPHASIZED, THAT THE PRESIDENT 
SAID IRAN IS TAKING A STEP BACK.
OR STANDING DOWN.
I THINK, KNOWING IRAN, THAT'S 
PROBABLY UNLIKELY.
I DON'T THINK WE'LL SEE AN OVERT
ATTACK LIKE WE SAW LAST NIGHT.
THIS EXTRAORDINARY EVENT WITH 
BALLISTIC MISSILES TARGETING 
AMERICANS IN IRAQ.
THEY ATTACK THROUGH PROXIES.
SINCE MAY OF LAST YEAR, WE'VE 
BEEN ON AN ACTION/REACTION 
CYCLE.
ATTACKS IN THE GULF AGAINST 
SHIPPING.
ATTACKS AGAINST SAUDI ARABIA.
20,000 MILITARY PERSONNEL POURED
INTO THE MIDDLE EAST.
THAT SEEMS TO BE THE TRACK WE'RE
ON.
I THINK WE'RE NOT ON THE TOP OF 
THE ESCALATORY LADDER AS WE 
SEEMED TO BE YESTERDAY, WHICH IS
GOOD, BUT I DON'T SEE A PATHWAY 
TO GET OUT OF THE 
ACTION/REACTION CYCLE WE'VE BEEN
ON THE LAST TEN MONTHS. 
>> THE PRESIDENT CALLED ON NATO 
TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THE 
MIDDLE EAST.
HOW IS THAT GOING TO FLY WITH 
NATO ALLIES WHO, FRANKLY, HAVE 
BEEN CRITICIZED BY THE PRESIDENT

Spanish: 
 VAMOS A HABLAR CON NUESTRO 
ANALISTAS Y EX ASISTENTE Y 
SECRETARIO PARA IRÁN E IRAK.
 EN ESTE MOMENTO QUÉ ES LO QUE 
PREVALECE?
>>> CREO QUE CAUTELA.  EL 
PRESIDENTE DIJO QUE IRÁN ESTABA 
RETROCEDIENDO.  CONOCIENDO A 
IRÁN ESO NO ES CLARO.  IRÁN 
ATACA A TRAVÉS DE PRAOXIS.
 ATACA A TRAVÉS DE MILICIAS, 
ARABIA SAUDITA Y OTROS MEDIOS. 
NO VI OTRO CAMINO O DE SALIR DE 
ESTO EN LOS ÚLTIMOS 10 MESES.

English: 
IN THE PAST?
>> LESTER, I WORKED WITH NATO.
IT IS A GREAT ORGANIZATION.
TO DO ANYTHING IN NATO, YOU NEED
UNANIMITY AMONGST THE 29 ALLIES.
IT'LL BE UNLIKELY THE ALLIES 
WILL POUR INTO THE MIDDLE EAST 
TO HELP US.
WE EMBARKED ON THE MAXIMUM 
PRESSURE ON OUR OWN, AND WE FIND
IT HARD TO HAVE ALLIES COME WITH
US WHEN WE'RE IN TROUBLE.
IT IS WISHFUL THINKING.
SINCE MAY, 20,000 MORE MILITARY 
PERSONNEL INTO THE MIDDLE EAST.
I DON'T SEE THEM COMING HOME 
SOON.
I REALLY DID NOT SEE THE WAY FOR
THE PRESIDENT TO TRY TO OPEN A 
NEW PATH FOR DIPLOMACY.
MARK TWAIN SAID ABOUT DIPLOMACY,
IT IS GIVE AND TAKE.
GIVE ONE, TAKE TEN.
YOU HAVE TO GIVE ONE SOMETIMES.
TO GET BACK TO THE TABLE, I 
THINK WE'LL HAVE TO PUT A REALLY
CONCRETE OFFER ON THE TABLE TO 
THE IRANIANS.
HERE'S WHAT WE EXPECT.
HERE'S THE PATHWAY.
RIGHT NOW, THAT REALLY DOESN'T 
APPEAR TO BE TAKING SHAPE.
>> BRETT McGURK, GOOD TO HAVE 
YOU ON.
WE WANT TO GO TO THE PENTAGON 
NOW.
COURTNEY KUBE, WHO MANS OUR POST
THERE.

Spanish: 
>>> EL PRESIDENTE LLAMA A LA 
OTAN A INVOLUCRARSE MÁS.
>>> LA OTAN ES UNA EXCELENTE 
ORGANIZACIÓN, PERO PARA ACTUAR 
NECESITA UNANIMIDAD.  ES POCO 
PROBABLE QUE NOS AYUDEN EN ESTO.
CREO QUE ESTAMOS SOLOS.  DESDE 
MAYO HAY MUCHAS TROPAS EN LOS 
EST
EL MEDIO OESTE.  NO CREO QUE 
HAYA MUCHO ESPACIO PARA LA 
DIPLOMACIA.  PARA VOLVER A LA 

Spanish: 
MESA DE ACUERDOS CREO QUE NO 
HABRÁ NEGOCIACIONES.
>>> VOLVAMOS A CONURTNEY.
 COOL ES LA POSTURA DE IRÁN?
 SE VEN A LA DEFENSIVA DESDE EL 
ASESINATO DE CASEN SULAIMÁN I.
 SE INVOLUCRE LA OTAN SE 
INVOLUCRÓ MÁS.  ESA MISIÓN LUEGO
DE LA MUERTE DE QASEM SOLEIMANI 
FUE SUSPENDIDA.  PORQUE LO 
MILICIA DEBE PROTEGERSE.  ES 
INTERESANTE QUE QUIERE QUE LA 
OTAN HAGA MÁS PERO NO SABEMOS

English: 
COURTNEY, WHAT IS THE AMERICAN 
MILITARY POSTURE AT THIS POINT 
IN TIME?
>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN DEFENSIVE
EVER SINCE THE KILLING OF 
SOLEIMANI A FEW DAYS AGO, JUST 
LAST WEEK.
RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS 
THAT REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME 
THOUGH FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP JUST
NOW WAS HIM SAYING HE'S GOING TO
CALL ON NATO TO BECOME MUCH MORE
INVOLVED IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
NATO ACTUALLY HAD BECOME MUCH 
MORE INVOLVED, SPECIFICALLY IN 
IRAQ JUST IN OCTOBER OF 2018.
THEY CREATED A TRAINING MISSION 
THERE.
TAKEN OVER BY NATO AND MANNED BY
A CANADIAN GENERAL, THE FIRST 
HEAD OF THAT.
THE MISSION, AFTER THE DEATH OF 
SOLEIMANI, THAT MISSION WAS 
SUSPENDED BECAUSE THE 
COUNTER-ISIS AND THE TRAINING 
MISSION HAD TO STOP WHILE THE 
U.S. MILITARY AND THE COALITION 
HAD TO FOCUS MORE ON FORCE 
PROTECTION OF THE TROOPS WHO 
WERE THERE AGAINST THIS THREAT 
FROM IRAN AND IRANIAN MILITIAS 
AND PROXIES.
SO IT IS INTERESTING HE'S SAYING
HE WANTS NATO TO DO MORE.
WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAPACITY 
THAT WOULD BE.
I THINK WHATEVER RESPONSE NATO 
WOULD HAVE TO THAT WOULD ALSO BE
FASCINATING.

Spanish: 
QUÉ MÁS PUEDE HACER.  SERÁ 
FASCINANTE VER LA RESPUESTA DE 
LA OTAN.
 TAMBIÉN LLAMA A QASEM SOLEIMANI
EL MAYOR TERRORISTA DEL MUNDO.  
SABEMOS QUE ERA UN JEFE 
IMPORTANTE,  PERO P PUEDE QUE 
HAYA OTROS TERRORISTAS.  NUNCA 
HABÍA ESCUCHADO QUE ALGUIEN LO 
NOMBRARA CON ESE ES ADJETIVOS.  
ESTÁ CLARO EN SU DISCURSO QUE 
CUANDO VIO SUS OPCIONES EL 
PRESIDENTE ESCOGIÓ RESPONDER CON

English: 
ANOTHER THING THAT STOOD OUT TO 
ME, LESTER, WAS HIM CALLING 
SOLEIMANI THE WORLD'S TOP 
TERRORIST.
WE KNOW THAT, OF COURSE, HE IS 
ON A FOREIGN TERROR 
ORGANIZATION.
SOLEIMANI WAS, THAT IS.
MANY PEOPLE IN INTELLIGENCE AND 
DEFENSE OFFICIALS, ANALYSTS WHO 
I SPEAK WITH CONSIDER THE HEAD 
OF AL QAEDA TO BE THE WORLD'S 
TOP TERRORIST.
BAGHDADI, WHO WAS KILLED WEEKS 
AGO IN SYRIA, WOULD BE ANOTHER 
ONE.
I NEVER HEARD OF SOLEIMANI 
REFERRED TO IN THAT WAY.
THAT WAS FASCINATING TO ME.
TO REINFORCE WHAT WE WERE 
TALKING ABOUT BEFORE THE 
PRESIDENT CAME OUT, TO SEE HOW 
HE WAS GOING TO RESPOND.
IT BECAME CLEAR FROM THE SPEECH 
WHEN HE LOOKED AT HIS POSSIBLE 
OPTIONS, MILITARY OR A LARGER 
DIPLOMATIC OR GOVERNMENT 
ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE, SO FAR,
THEY'RE CHOOSING ADMINISTRATION 
RESPONSE WITH SANCTIONS, LESTER.
>> COURTNEY KUBE AT THE 
PENTAGON, THANK YOU.
KASIE HUNT IS ON CAPITOL HILL.
WE KNOW DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN 
SAYING WE NEED MORE INFORMATION 
ABOUT WHAT LED UP TO ALL THIS.
WERE ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS 
ANSWERED TODAY, AND WHAT ARE YOU
HEARING UP THERE?
>> Reporter: THE BIG QUESTION 
THAT WAS ANSWERED HERE, LESTER, 

English: 
SEEMS TO BE THAT THE PRESIDENT 
IS TAKING A RELATIVELY 
DEESCALATORY PATH.
SOME OF HIS TOP ALLIES ALREADY 
OUT ON TWITTER.
CONGRESSMAN MARK MEADOWS SAYING 
THIS WAS A
SHOWING THE PRESIDENT IS BEING, 
ON THE ONE HAND, STRONG, ON THE 
OTHER HAND, AVOIDING A CONFLICT,
TRYING TO KEEP AMERICA OUT OF A 
BROADER WAR.
CERTAINLY, IT SEEMS REPUBLICANS 
ARE PREPARED TO BACK HIM IN THAT
WAY.
WE ARE STILL WAITING TO HEAR 
FROM THE TOP DEMOCRATS HERE IN 
CONGRESS ABOUT WHETHER THEY 
CONSIDER THIS TO BE A 
DE-ESCALATION.
AND I DO THINK YOU'RE STILL 
GOING TO SEE A LOT OF QUESTIONS 
FROM LAWMAKERS ABOUT EXACTLY 
WHERE WE STAND IN THIS BACK AND 
FORTH WITH IRAN.
AS BRETT McGURK WAS ELUDING TO, 
THAT SEEMS TO BE STILL GOING ON.
DOES CONGRESS NEED TO 
POTENTIALLY ACT TO PASS 
SOMETHING, TRYING TO LIMIT THE 
PRESIDENT'S POWERS?
THE HOUSE MAY GO DOWN THAT ROAD.
OF COURSE, REPUBLICANS CONTROL 
THE SENATE.
FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, THAT 
MIGHT BE UNLIKELY. 

Spanish: 
SANCIONES.
>>> LA GRAN RESPUESTA QUE FUE 
RESPONDIDA ES QUE PARECE QUE EL 
PRESIDENTE DECIDIÓ DESACELERAR 
LAS AGRESIONES.
 PORQUE OTROS DICEN QUE LOS 
PRESI
CRÍTICOS DICEN QUE POR UNA PARTE
ESTÁ SIENDO FUERTE PERO POR LO 
OTRO NO ESTÁ HACIENDO LO 
SUFICIENTE.  EN EL CONGRESO 
PODRÍAN TOMAR ESTO COMO UNA 
DESACELERACIÓN.  VEREMOS 
PREGUNTAS DE LOS LEGISLADORES DE
DONDE NOS ENCONTRAMOS EN 
NUESTRAS RELACIONES DIPLOMÁTICAS
CON IRÁN. 
 QUIZÁS VAN A TRATAR DE LIMITAR 

Spanish: 
EL PODER DEL PRESIDENTE,  PERO 
ES POCO PROBABLE.
>>> GRACIAS.
 HABLEMOS CON CHUCK TODD.
 ES POSIBLE QUE IRÁN LE HAYA 
ENTREGADO UNA BUENA OFERTA?
>>> SI,  Y CREO QUE ÉL TOMÓ ESA 
OFERTA CUANDO DIJERON QUE SI NO 
HABÍAN MÁS ATAQUES MILITARES 
ELLOS NO IVABAN  A CONTINUAR CO 
LAS AGRESIONES.

English: 
>> THANK YOU.
LET'S GO TO CHUCK TODD, 
MODERATOR OF "MEET THE PRESS."
DID THE PRESIDENT FIND AN 
OFF-RAMP?
DID THE IRANIANS GIVE HIM AN 
OFF-RAMP?
>> THEY DID AND HE TOOK IT.
HE DIDN'T WANT TO LOOK LIKE HE 
TOOK IT.
THAT'S WHY YOU HEARD HIM TRY TO 
USE FORCEFUL LANGUAGE IN 
ANNOUNCING THE SANCTIONS.
USED FORCEFUL LANGUAGE IN NOT 
SAYING THEY'RE NOT GOING TO 
RETALIATE.
IT IS CLEAR OUR RETALIATION FOR 
NOW APPEARS TO BE THE SANCTIONS.
I THINK IT IS NOTABLE AT HOW THE
PRESIDENT TRIED TO POLITICIZE 
THIS BY BLAMING THE PREVIOUS 
ADMINISTRATION FOR FINANCING.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE GLOSSING OVER 
THAT.
THE SITTING PRESIDENT OF THE 
UNITED STATES ACCUSING 
ESSENTIALLY THE PREVIOUS 
PRESIDENT OF HELPING TO FINANCE 
IRANIAN WEAPONS IS QUITE 
REMARKABLE THAT HE IS WILLING TO
PUSH THE ENVELOPE LIKE THAT WITH
THE OFFICE -- WITH THIS OFFICE.
I MEAN, I GUESS AT THIS POINT, 
WE SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED HE 
DOES THESE THINGS ANYMORE.

English: 
IT'S STILL A REMARKABLE THING 
THAT HE ACTUALLY DID IT.
FOR ME, THERE WAS ONE GIANT, 
NOTABLE OMISSION IN HIS REMARKS.
IT WAS THE LACK OF OUTREACH OR 
OLIVE BRANCH TO THE IRAQI 
GOVERNMENT WHO BASICALLY WANTS 
TO KICK THE AMERICANS OUT.
STRATEGICALLY, THAT'D OBVIOUSLY 
BE POTENTIALLY A DISASTER WHEN 
YOU THINK ABOUT ISIS.
THE LACK OF ANY SORT OF OLIVE 
BRANCH TO IRAQ, I THINK, WAS, TO
ME, NOTABLE AND PERHAPS A 
DIPLOMATIC MISTAKE. 
>> WHAT ABOUT THE REACHING OUT 
TO NATO, AN ORGANIZATION THAT 
HE'S BROADLY CRITICIZED, ASKING 
THEM TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN 
THE MIDDLE EAST?
HOW IS THAT GOING TO FLY?
>> WE'LL SEE.
OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES IN THIS HAVE
BEEN SPECTACLE OF WHAT WE'VE 
BEEN DOING AS IT IS WITH IRAN.
OBVIOUSLY, THIS WOULD BE A WAY 
OF ALMOST SORT OF FORCING THERE 
TO LOOK LIKE THERE IS AN 
INTERNATIONAL COALITION.
I GET WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS 
TRYING TO DO HERE.
RIGHT NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE AMERICA
IS ALONE IN THIS WITH THE GULF 
STATES.
THAT'S IT WHEN IT COMES TO 
TAKING ON IRAN.

Spanish: 
 EL ACTUAL PRESIDENTE USÓ ACUSÓ 
ANTERIOR PRESIDENTE,  YA NO NOS 
DEBERÍA SORPRENDER.  DE TODAS 
MANERAS ME PARECEN UN POCO 
SORPRENDENTE.
 LOS IRAQUÍES QUIEREN SACAR A LA
MILICIA ESTADOUNIDENSE DE LA 
ZONA,  LO QUE YO CREO SERÍA UN 
ERROR.
>
 NUESTROS ALIADOS EUROPEOS NO 
ESTÁN DE ACUERDO CON LO QUE SE
ESTÁ REALIZANDO.  ENTIENDO LO 
QUE EL PRESIDENTE QUIERE 

English: 
NATO WOULD GIVE THE APPEARANCE 
OF AN INTERNATIONAL COALITION. 
>> THANKS SO MUCH.
WHAT APPEARS TO BE A STEP BACK 
BY THE PRESIDENT THIS MORNING 
FROM A CYCLE OF ESCALATION, AND 
WHAT MANY FEARED WAS THE BRINK 
OF WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
AND IRAN.
THIS STORY IS FAR FROM OVER.
OF COURSE, BREATHS ARE STILL 
HELD LARGELY.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ALL 
DEVELOPMENTS.
I'LL BE BACK WITH A FULL WRAP UP
WHEN I SEE YOU THIS EVENING ON 
"NBC NIGHTLY NEWS."
FOR ALL OF US AT NBC NEWS, I'M 
LESTER H

Spanish: 
REALIZAR,  PORQUE ES ESTADOS 
UNIDOS ESTÁ UN POCO SOLO.  
INVITAR A LA OTAN CREO QUE ES 
UNA POSIBILIDAD DE COALICIÓN 
MUNDIAL.
>>> PARECE QUE LA SITUACIÓN SE 
HA DESACELERADO,  MUCHOS 
PENSABAN QUE ÍBAMOS DIRECTAMENTE
