President Donald Trump has said there are no signs that Iran is preparing to attack American forces, but if that changes, the United States “will have no choice” but to respond forcefully.
“We have no indication that anything is happening or will happen,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Monday. “But if it does it will be met with great force.”
“They’ve been very hostile,” Trump said. “They’re the number one provocateur of terror.”
Trump also said that he would be ready to conducts negotiations with Tehran if Iranian officials make the initial call.
“If they called, we would certainly negotiate, but that’s going to be up to them,” Trump said, adding that Iranian officials “don’t have to bother” if they’re not ready.
On Sunday night, Trump issued a warning to Iran, tweeting, “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!”
His warning to Iran was issued hours after a rocket was fired into the heavily fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and hit a building about 0.5km (0.3 miles) from the US embassy.
US-Iranian tensions first flared up last year when the United States unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and started reinstating sanctions against Tehran. On May 8, Iran announced its decision to partially discontinue its obligations under the nuclear agreement.
In recent weeks, the United States has stepped up its military forces in the Middle East in what National Security Advisor John Bolton has called a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime.
The United States has recently deployed to the region an aircraft carrier strike group, Patriot missiles, B-52 bombers and F-15 fighters, according to the Pentagon.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that Iran does not intend to wage war with the United States but will continue to resist Washington. (UNI)
