WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran appears to be “standing down” and said no Americans or Iraqis were harmed in Iran’s Tuesday ballistic missile strike on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops.

Speaking from the foyer of the White House, Trump announced that the U.S. will immediately place new sanctions on Iran “until Iran changes it’s behavior.” He defended his targeted killing last week of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force and said “Iran appears to be standing down” following Tuesday’s attacks.

He added that Americans should be “extremely grateful and happy” with the outcome and called Soleimani a “ruthless terrorist” responsible for “atrocities.”

President Donald Trump said American and Iraqi forces suffered no casualties and there was minimal damage at the military bases because “of the precaution was taken, dispersal of forces and an early warning system that worked very well.”

“I salute the incredible courage of America’s men and women in uniform,” he said.