U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered military strikes on Iran to thwart Tehran’s nuclear development and rapidly expanding ballistic missile program, calling the Iranian regime “sick and sinister.”

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, speaking at the White House, he stated, “This was our last best chance to strike … and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime.”

Trump reported that U.S. forces had destroyed 10 Iranian ships, noting, “they’re at the bottom of the sea,” and emphasized that large-scale combat operations are ongoing to eliminate threats posed to the United States.

He said the objectives of the campaign are destroying Iran’s missile capabilities, annihilating its navy, preventing nuclear weapons development, and stopping support for regional militant groups.