Trump has yet to give 'go' order for Iran strikes even as GOP chair urges him to 'finish the job'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump praised Rep Rick Crawford (R-Ark) for his demand to end negotiations with Iran and “finish the job.”

The president praised Crawford during a Saturday, August 1, interview on Fox News in which the lawmaker called on Trump to “finish the job” on Iran.

“Great job by Chairman Rick Crawford on Fox News interview – A total Pro," Trump posted right after Crawford spoke to Aishah Hasnie on Fox News Live.

Hasnie asked Crawford, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, what Trump should do about Iran.

“I think he should finish the job, quite frankly,” Crawford said. “I think what we see here is he has given them tremendous leash, diplomatically speaking, and it’s been met with complete disrespect.”

Crawford continued by accusing Iran of lying about discussions with the Trump administration over nuclear disarmament, a key issue Trump has repeatedly said must be part of any deal between the two countries.

“Trump has given them every opportunity diplomatically to resolve this issue, and they’ve refused,” Crawford continued. “So there’s really nothing more to do… I support the kinetic action that’s being undertaken now.”

Trump promises harder military action against Iran

His interview came after President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US would be ramping up its strikes on Iran.

“We will be hitting them very hard,” Trump said during a televised press conference Friday at Camp David. “And you know at some point, they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’”

His statement came a few days after he told Fox News the US was going to “beat the f*****g s**t” out of Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, July 31, "For weeks behind closed doors, Trump has been telling aides that the Iranians are 'crazy.'" 

"He also complained to confidants that the interim peace deal was ultimately meaningless, officials said that he always knew it wasn't going to work," the report added.

US and Israel plan to target Iranian energy sites

According to sources familiar with planning, the US and Israel are set to unleash one of the harshest bombing campaigns to date against energy infrastructure targets in Iran, which could continue till weekend.

According to multiple sources quoted by CBS News, the potential strikes are planned to conclude by the time financial markets open Monday, August 3, because of concern about how the bombings will affect the US and global economy, but an endpoint hasn't been locked in.

The Israelis have been notified and are coordinating with the United States, according to multiple US sources. However, President Trump has yet to give the final "go" order for the strikes, the sources said.