U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (March 9) defended U.S. strikes on Iran and boasted about his administration’s economic record while addressing Republicans at a party gathering in Doral, Florida.

Speaking to lawmakers and party members at a Republican policy retreat, Trump claimed the military action had prevented Iran from quickly obtaining a nuclear weapon and attacking Israel and other countries in the Middle East.

Trump said Tehran would have had a nuclear weapon “within two weeks” if the United States had not acted, adding that Iran had been preparing to launch attacks across the region.

He also accused Democrats in Congress of undermining national security, criticizing lawmakers who opposed a resolution affirming that Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.

During the speech, Trump praised what he described as strong economic performance under his administration, claiming inflation was falling, incomes were rising and the stock market had reached multiple record highs.

He also touted what he said were improvements in border security and crime rates in the United States.

Production: Jose Pablo Diaz/Reuters