White House defends Trump's Iran comments as nuclear warning

White House officials said Trump's remarks were intended to highlight the dangers posed by a nuclear-armed Iran rather than endorsing any attack on American soil. The comments, which referenced potential Iranian strikes on Los Angeles and San Diego, sparked immediate backlash from state leadership and raised questions about their precise meaning and intent.

Newsom characterized Trump's statements as "deranged," reflecting growing concern among California officials over the nature of the remarks. The governor's response underscored the polarized reaction to Trump's comments and the sensitivities surrounding discussions of nuclear threats to major U.S. population centers.

The White House sought to reframe the controversy by emphasizing that Trump was drawing attention to what it describes as the threat of Iranian nuclear development. Officials argued the remarks should be understood in the context of broader concerns about regional security and nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

The exchange highlighted the contentious debate over Iran policy and how statements about potential security threats are interpreted by different political figures. Trump's comments and the subsequent defensive response from his team underscored divisions over how to characterize and communicate risks associated with Iran's nuclear program.