President Barack Obama said today “we will not rest” until the U.S. finds everyone responsible for a suspected terrorist’s alleged attempt to blow up an airliner on Christmas Day.

“We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us,” said the president, who interrupted his vacation in Hawaii to make his statement. Nearly 300 passengers and crew could have been killed, he said.
Federal authorities are investigating how a 23-year-old Nigerian man, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, was able to board a Northwest Airlines flight in Amsterdam on Dec. 25 while carrying explosives, which he allegedly tried to detonate as the plane approached Detroit.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the attempted attack and said it was in retaliation for a U.S. operation against the group in Yemen, the Associated Press reported today, citing a statement by the group posted on the Internet.
Obama spoke after conferring earlier today with Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and John Brennan, the president’s counterterrorism and homeland security adviser.
Abdulmutallab has been charged in federal court with trying to detonate an explosive device as the plane approached Detroit on a flight from Amsterdam. The device burst into flames instead, according to authorities, and he was subdued by passengers. The plane landed safely.
Obama spoke to reporters in a function room on Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay.
The president, wearing a jacket but no tie, outlined the facts of the attempted bombing and praised the “quick and heroic” actions of the plane’s passengers and crew.
“The American people should be assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your family safe and secure during this busy holiday season,” Obama said.
The president then outlined the immediate steps the administration had taken to ensure the safety of the traveling public, including enhancing security and adding federal air marshals to flights entering and leaving the U.S.
He said Washington must “keep up the pressure on those who would attack our country,” adding that the situation required much more than just efforts to “simply strengthen our defenses.”
“The American people should remain vigiliant but also be confident,” Obama said.
“Those plotting against us seek not only to undermine our security but also the open society and the values we cherish as Americans.”
Obama then moved to Iran.
He noted the U.S. joins the international community in “strongly condemning” the violent and “unjust represssion” of Iranian citizens.
He said that the world had watched with “deep admiration” the courage and conviction of the Iranian people.
The Iranian government has to respect the rights of his own people, he said.
“History will be on the side of those of who seek justice,” Obama said, saying the U.S. will continue to bear witness to “extraordinary” events taking place in Iran.
According to a media pool report from AFP Washington White House correspondent Stephen Collinson, Obama began the day with his usual workout at the Marine base. The president's motorcade left the base about 8 a.m. and drove through a residential area of small houses and occasional onlookers before arriving at the Kailua Racquet Club, where the president and first lady played tennis.
Pool reporters were kept at a distance. Club members carried on as usual, taking early-morning lessons.
The motorcade left the club shortly before 9.
After his statement, the president resumed his vacation with a round of golf at Luana Hills Country Club.

The Obamas and a group of guests dined at Alan Wong’s last night.
In a media pool report from Anne E. Kornblut, White House correspondent for the Washington Post, the Obamas settled down for dinner shortly after 8.
Among the items on their menu were butter-poached Kona lobster and ginger-crusted onaga.
There were other patrons in the restaurant. Prospective guests had been told earlier in the evening that the restaurant would not be accepting walk-in diners.
Small clusters of bystanders gathered behind police tape on King Street and waited hours for the Obamas to emerge. At one point, someone set off fireworks nearby, provoking some nervous look from the crowd.
Shortly after 10:25 p.m., some of the first family’s dinner guests emerged.
Obama's sister Maya Soetoro-Ng came out first with her husband, Konrad. They retrieved a red Subaru from valet parking and drove off. Then another group, including presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett and her daughter Laura, walked outside and into the awaiting motorcade.
Other guests included Michael Ramos and his wife, and Bobby Titcombe and his wife.
Michelle Obama broke into a quick walk/jog as she emerged at 10:30 p.m., moving quickly to the sedan. She wore a stylish patchwork, V-neck dress with 3/4-length sleeves, and hoop earrings, with her hair back in a tight bun. She appeared to be carrying a menu.
President Obama strode more slowly, waving to a smattering of cheers.
The motorcade sped back on a highway route to the Obamas’ vacation home, arriving just after 11 p.m.

The Associated Press and Bloomberg News contributed to this report.