Trump grills reporters on alleged Iran threat to US firms: ‘Did they threaten them with BB guns?’

WASHINGTON, DC: During an Oval Office meeting, Donald Trump fielded questions from reporters, where one remark about an alleged Iran “threat” quickly stood out and drew a strong reaction from him.

He quickly responded by asking what exactly the regime had threatened, specifically mentioning US companies operating in the region. The reporter, however, could not clearly explain the nature of the threat.

Trump then pushed back, arguing with the journalist while strongly criticizing Iran’s influence amid the ongoing conflict. He repeatedly asked for clarity, trying to understand what the supposed threat actually involved: was it 'BB guns' or any nuclear weapon?

Tensions between the US and Iran have now stretched beyond a month, following the first missile attack on February 28.

Trump grills reporters over unclear Iran threat

Questions about Iran allegedly threatening US companies in the region quickly drew his attention and led to a tense exchange on Tuesday, March 31.

When a reporter claimed that the Iranian government had threatened companies, Trump immediately pushed back.

He questioned the basis of the claim and asked what kind of threat was actually being referred to. He remarked, “With what? What did they threaten them with? BB guns or? They don’t have much left to threaten.”

As the reporter struggled to clarify, Trump continued pressing for specifics. He insisted that simply saying there was a threat was not enough without explaining what it involved. “You made a statement. What did they threaten them with? I don’t know. Tell me, how did they threaten them?” he said.

Trump pointed out the lack of detail, saying, “You don’t even know what the threat was. What was the threat? I haven’t heard it.”

He went on to question whether the claim implied something serious, adding, “Did they say they’re going to blow them up? You know what they’re not going to do? They’re not going to hit them with a nuclear weapon.”

Trump says Iran conflict could end in weeks

Trump said the US may soon wrap up its conflict with Iran, suggesting the timeline could be around two to three weeks. Speaking from the Oval Office, he said the main objective has already been achieved, and efforts are now focused on closing the remaining gaps.

“We have had regime change. Now, regime change was not one of the things I had as a goal. I had one goal: they will have no nuclear weapons, and that goal has been attained. They will not have nuclear weapons. But we’re finishing the job, and I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer, to do the job,” Trump said.

He added that a deal could speed things up. “It’s possible that we’ll have a deal because they want to make a deal,” he said. Trump also said other countries should handle the Strait of Hormuz.