Trump says a former president privately supported the Iran war
President Trump said Monday that a former U.S. president privately expressed support for military action against Iran and reportedly said he would have liked to do so.
“This is someone who likes me, and I like this person,” Mr. Trump said from the Oval Office.
Mr. Trump made the assertion during a lengthy question-and-answer session with reporters.
“This person said, ‘I wish I did,’” Mr. Trump said of his conversation with the former president. “I don’t want to get him in trouble.”
There are only four living former presidents, so the options are narrow.
“Was it George W. Bush?” asked Fox News reporter Peter Doocy.
“No,” Mr. Trump replied.
“Bill Clinton?” » » asked the report.
“I don’t want to say it,” Mr. Trump said.
The president does not enjoy warm relations with former Presidents Barack Obama and Joseph R. Biden, both of whom he frequently attacks.
Mr. Trump decided to join forces with Israel and launch the operation against Iran on February 28 because he wanted to dismantle Iran’s missile program, prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons and end Tehran’s support for terrorism in the Middle East.
Iran responded by hitting oil-rich Gulf countries and closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key channel for tankers carrying oil and other products.
Mr. Trump has alternated between announcing the war effort ahead of schedule and saying the U.S. military must finish the job in Iran.
“It will be soon, it won’t be long. And we will have a much safer world when this is all over,” Mr. Trump said.
He defended his decision to strike by saying Iran was seeking nuclear weapons and planned to strike Israel and, ultimately, the United States.
“You want to see the stock market fall? » said Mr. Trump. “Start letting them hit you with nukes.”
The war caught some Americans off guard after Mr. Trump’s campaign to end foreign interference, particularly in the Middle East.
Vice President JD Vance said Monday he supported the war, pushing back against reports of a rift between him and Mr Trump.
“A big difference is that we have a smart president,” Mr. Vance said in the Oval Office. “Whereas in the past we had stupid presidents.”
