US President Donald Trump reposted statements he made more than four decades ago regarding Iran, coinciding with escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, and the resumption of US military operations against Iranian targets.

According to Fox News, the remark dates back to an interview in 1980 during the US hostage crisis at the American embassy in Tehran, where Trump affirmed that the United States needed to show strength to earn the respect of other nations.

Trump said in the interview: ‘When you earn the respect of other countries, they tend to behave the way you want, thus creating the appropriate climate.’

When asked whether he supported sending US troops to Iran during the hostage crisis, he replied without hesitation: ‘I absolutely feel it should be done, and I don't think there's any doubt about it.’

He also described the detention of US hostages in Iran as ‘totally ridiculous,’ adding: ‘It is ridiculous that the United States allows a country like Iran to hold its hostages. This, in my opinion, is terrible.’

Users on social media circulated the video clip amid rising tensions, after the United States resumed military operations against Iranian targets following the collapse of negotiations between the two sides, while US Central Command announced the resumption of measures to prevent navigation to and from Iranian ports.

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wells told Fox News that Trump has been steadfast in his stance toward Iran for years, affirming: ‘Long before he was elected, President Trump was remarkably consistent in his belief that Iran, which chants ‘Death to America,’ should never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.’

She added that the United States and its allies have become safer thanks to what she described as ‘bold actions’ taken by Trump to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities and inflict heavy losses on the Iranian military, noting that ‘Trump's successful policy is based on the strength of the United States, and he will always defend its interests without apology.’

In remarks made last Monday, Trump said Iranian military capabilities had been greatly weakened, warning of continued ‘major attacks’ if necessary.

He added: ‘If we hadn't done that, Iran would have had a nuclear weapon. And if it had one, Israel would not exist, and perhaps the Middle East would not be as we know it.’

Trump affirmed that his administration has taken a tougher stance toward Iran compared to previous administrations, saying: ‘This is what they have been doing for 47 years, but the difference is that no one has negotiated the way I negotiate. And that should have happened during the times of Bush, Obama, Biden, and those before them.’

He also accused Iran of prolonging negotiations for decades.