President of the United States, donald trumphas dismissed the six-month conflict with Iran as inconsequential to the United States, deepening a pattern within his administration of downplaying a confrontation that has killed 18 American service members and driven up gasoline prices.
Speaking in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump flatly rejected the “war” label.
“Many people don’t call it war. I call it military conflict because for us it’s a small thing. It’s not a big deal,” he said.
His comments came a day after Vice President JD Vance argued that major combat operations had ended months earlier and that the term “war” no longer applied.
Trump described the fighting as sporadic and not sustained, even as attacks between both sides have continued steadily.
“I would say it’s intermittent. You know, we do intermittent attacks,” he said, adding: “There’s a lot of truth in that we’re not fighting right now. There’s no fighting.”
The comments come despite a US operation this week that hit nearly 60 military targets around the Strait of Hormuz, including air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications infrastructure, carried out in conjunction with efforts to escort ships through the waterway.
Washington had previously signaled a shift from direct military action toward economic pressure, using sanctions to pressure Iran’s trading partners. China, however, remains outside these measures despite being Tehran’s largest economic sponsor.
With a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for later this month, Trump downplayed Beijing’s role in propping up Iran.
“They’re not really involved. Very little Chinese involvement. China could have a lot of involvement,” he said.
He also pointed to alternative trade routes that could completely reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, including a proposed land pipeline through Syria.
READ ALSO: US: Pig kidney transplant helps man avoid dialysis for 271 days
“They’re going to end up in a horrible situation that’s not really necessary anymore,” he said.
On the military front, Trump flagged a possible new attack on a suspected Iranian nuclear facility south of Tehran, where stockpiles of enriched uranium are believed to have been relocated.
“We may reach Pickaxe very soon,” he said.
Pressed again on the terminology, Trump stood by his position.
“It is a military conflict, but it is very intermittent. I imagine that someone does not call it war,” he said.
He added: “I don’t think it matters what you call it. What matters is the fact that we’ve had tremendous success.”
(CNN)
WATCH THE BEST VIDEOS FROM Newslodge TV