What made it a war? A deadline had passed, and it was very clear. In fact, the Iraqis still maintained control over Kuwait, and most of the Kuwaitis had left, and their money had left too, and this type of thing. That deadline was there. It would have been all too easy if Saddam Hussein had gone back because, clearly, the world community had said, “You can't do this; you shouldn't do this.”
On October 21st, 2024. See this statement in context.