President Donald Trump said restarting open war with Iran is very unlikely if talks produce a strong deal on Tehran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. He also said he could still strike, and named bridges and power plants as targets.
President Donald Trump said he is highly unlikely to restart open war with Iran, but warned he could still strike the country while Washington tries to reach a deal with Tehran. The comments came in an interview with CNN.
Trump ties strikes to a signed agreement
Trump said the outcome depends on whether Iran signs a very strong agreement. Trump told CNN: "The answer is highly unlikely it's going to be necessary."
However, he left the door open to more strikes. The president repeated his threat to hit bridges and power plants in Iran if the war restarts, and said three aircraft carriers are in the region, the latest of which just arrived. He also said the U.S. has 38 bridges in its sights.
War now more than eight months old has stoked inflation
The war is now more than eight months old. CNBC reports that it has stoked inflation and sent oil prices surging, with repeated bursts of fighting separated by ceasefires and peace talks. Trump has demanded that Iran fully open the Strait of Hormuz and agree to never develop a nuclear weapon.
Finding a truce has proven difficult. CNBC says all previous attempts to end the war and reopen the strait have been met with disappointment, though an end to the war would likely ease oil prices.
Trump likely to face more pressure after the midterms
Trump is likely to face more pressure to end the conflict, CNBC reports, now that Democrats have won control of both the House and the Senate. Some Republicans are also likely to want an end to the war, given the role high gas prices played in their election losses.
Later in the day, Trump posted on Truth Social that Task Force Iron Gate is in full force in Iran. Central Command announced the task force on Saturday, and the U.S. has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports for months.
Source: CNBC
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