WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of restarting the war with Iran, raising concerns about the future of US-Iran relations.
During a press interaction in the Oval Office, President Trump was asked about the stalled negotiations with Iran and whether he would consider re-engaging in military action. His response was open-ended: “I don’t know what stubborn is because, really, nobody knows what the talks are except myself and a couple of other people. They (Iranians) want to make a deal badly.”
Trump added to the uncertainty by acknowledging the ongoing problem with Iran’s leadership, stating: “We have a problem because nobody knows for sure who the leaders are.” While he stopped short of confirming military escalation, Trump said, “I don’t know that we need it (to restart war). We might need it.”
Trump also commented on military strategies in Europe, saying it was “probably” likely that US troops would be withdrawn from Italy and Spain, although he did not provide a clear timeline.
Trump emphasized his administration’s success in damaging Iran’s military infrastructure, claiming that “their drone factories are about 82 percent down, and their missile factories are almost 90 percent down.” He further stated that “many of their missiles have been knocked out, it’s pretty amazing what’s happened.”
Despite the ongoing conflict, Trump took a moment to highlight the strength of the US economy, stating: “They (Iran) want to make a deal, but even though we are in what some people would call a war, we just hit a new high today on the stock market. The S&P is through the roof.”
Looking ahead, Trump predicted that petrol prices would fall once the war with Iran comes to an end. He also offered a surprising statement on international sports, saying he was “OK” with Iran’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will be held in North America later this year.
Trump reaffirms claim of 11 aircraft downed during Pak-India conflict
Moreover, US President Donald Trump has once again brought up the topic of the India-Pakistan conflict, asserting that during the war, 11 aircraft were shot down.
President Trump’s comments came amidst a broader discussion about Iran, where he claimed that Iran was “desperate” to negotiate with the U.S. and that the sanctions imposed on the country had been successful. According to Trump, the Iranian leadership has been “eradicated,” and he reiterated his position that Iran will not be able to develop nuclear weapons.
Furthermore, Trump boasted about the damage inflicted on Iran’s military infrastructure, claiming that 82% of drone factories and 90% of missile production facilities in Iran had been destroyed. He also claimed that Iran’s Navy and Air Force had been significantly crippled.
This new statement from the US President has reignited discussions around the 2019 India-Pakistan tensions and has once again made headlines on the global stage.
