Trump says US may have to destroy rest of Iran, will decide soon
US President Donald Trump said late on Thursday he will soon decide whether to widen the war on Iran. He said the US might have to destroy the rest of the country.
- Trump said he will soon decide whether to widen the war on Iran.
- He said he would rather not destroy the rest of the country but might have to.
- He acknowledged 18 US service members have died in the conflict.
US President Donald Trump said late on Thursday that he will soon decide whether to widen the war on Iran, according to Gulf News. Al Jazeera reported that he warned the US may have to "destroy" the rest of Iran and that people would "know soon enough".
Trump said the administration would decide whether to go further to ensure Iran's nuclear programme can never be revived. He said he would rather not do so, but added: "maybe I'll have to". He also said the US was "locked and loaded if we need to go".
Trump claimed it could take Iran 25 to 30 years to rebuild. He acknowledged that 18 US service members have died in the conflict.
Two US officials told Axios that a meeting on Iran held this week was the first since the midterm elections, in which Democrats won. Trump is reported to be weighing further strikes, continued economic pressure or a deal.
Some analysts say the Democratic victory may encourage Trump to intensify operations before the new Congress takes office in January, Gulf News reported. A guest on Iranian state television speculated he could attack in the roughly two months before then. Iran International reported that the Democrats' win could strengthen oversight.
Trump gave other outlets differing signals. He told the Financial Times the US had no immediate plans for another major attack. He told Politico his decision to launch the war was correct. He told The Wall Street Journal the war was a piece of the election result, and told Fox News the issue was a gasoline price, not a war.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 5 November that Trump acknowledged the Iran war, and the fuel prices it caused, affected the Republican midterm defeat. On 4 November it reported a US strike on an Iranian anti-aircraft facility near the Strait of Hormuz, while Qatar stepped up mediation.
Why it matters
Escalation in the Iran war can disrupt Gulf flights, oil prices and the jobs of Pakistani workers in the region. khabr.pk recorded petrol at Rs352.59 per litre and high-speed diesel at Rs382.25 per litre on 5 November, so fuel costs are closely watched by households and transporters.
