The speech took place in President Truman's home state and Truman was on the stage with him, both of which ensured a higher degree of press coverage than would normally be expected on a speaking tour for a former head of state.

It's worth noting that Westminster was not the first time Churchill used such language. He referred to an "iron fence" while at Potsdam and had spoken out often against the Soviets in the intervening years. Part of the reason the speech took on added importance was Truman's presence, but also that it came at a time when the Untied States was ready to admit that the Soviets posed a greater threat and there was also no longer a need to maintain friendly-ish relations to fight a major war. The speech came just a few weeks after George Kennan's long telegram and amid an environment in which the US was seeking stronger policy options.