Washington, March 16 -- US President Donald Trump on Monday defended recent US military actions against Iran, warning that Tehran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, and also claimed that American forces have significantly weakened the country's military capabilities.

Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons was essential for global security and argued that the country would use such weapons immediately if it possessed them.

"I want wars less than almost anybody... The leaders of Iran are violent and vicious people who killed 32,000 protesters over the last three weeks," Trump said.

He added, "If you believe that Iran should have a nuclear weapon, there's something wrong with you because they would use it...