President Donald Trump said he had not ruled out expanding U.S. attacks on Iran as mediators proposed an agreement on the country’s nuclear program. (Foto: Instagram)
President Donald Trump renewed his threats against Iran on Thursday, Nov. 5, saying he had not ruled out expanding U.S. attacks and might destroy what remains of the country. His remarks came as mediators put forward proposals for an agreement involving Iran’s nuclear program.
Asked about the proposals, Trump said he would prefer to avoid another offensive but left open the possibility of further destruction. “I would prefer not to destroy the rest of the country, if possible, but maybe I’ll have to. You’ll know soon,” he said. He also asserted that Iran would not be able to take any action related to its nuclear program without U.S. approval.
The comments came amid negotiations over the future of Tehran’s nuclear program and U.S. threats of additional military action. Trump made the latest threat a day after acknowledging that the war with Iran had contributed to Republicans’ defeat in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Democrats won majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, a result described in U.S. media as a “blue wave,” referring to the party’s color.
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Trump said the conflict had affected Republican performance, particularly because of the war’s economic consequences. He nevertheless defended the decision to launch the offensive, saying he could not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. Trump has described preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as the reason for the military campaign.
The war, launched by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28, has driven up fuel prices and added pressure to the cost of living in the United States. Estimates from Pentagon sources indicated that the conflict may have cost the U.S. government as much as $100 billion. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released the day before the midterm elections found that 48% of voters named the cost of living as their leading concern when deciding how to vote.
The poll also found dissatisfaction with the military operation. Fifty-five percent of respondents said the action against Iran was not worth the cost, while 25% said it was worth it; another 18% were unsure. Despite Trump’s comments about a possible end to the conflict and an unsuccessful cease-fire effort, the war continues.
