Trump says Iran conflict is 'not a war per se' but a mission to 'denuke' Tehran
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump defended his administration's handling of the Iran conflict during a CNBC interview, insisting that it should not be viewed as a traditional war but as an effort to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Speaking with CNBC's Joe Kernen, Trump also criticized former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama while arguing that his administration has taken a far tougher approach toward Iran.
The interview touched on oil prices, military strategy and the larger situation in the Middle East, with Trump maintaining that the United States has gone well beyond simply responding to Iranian actions.
Trump says Iran operation is about 'denuclearization'
When Kernen asked whether diplomacy remained the goal, Trump said his administration had already gone much further than a reciprocal response.
"Well, I think I've done much more than reciprocal," said Trump, before describing the mission as something different from a conventional war.
"We're in the war, and it's really the denuclearization of Iran. This is not a war per se. This is the denuking of Iran. You can't let them have a nuclear weapon," he said.
The commander-in-chief also appeared to reference military action against Iranian leadership, saying, "We killed one group... We killed the second level."
Trump attacks Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal
Trump used the interview to once again criticize Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan, arguing that the United States should have kept Bagram Air Base and withdrawn "with dignity and strength."
"Getting out of Afghanistan was fine, but they should have kept Bagram, the Air Force base," the 80-year-old said.
He also compared the Iran operation with Venezuela, saying the situations were different but insisting that both benefited the US.
"Look at Venezuela, that was a one-day war. We've gotten our money back many, many times over for the cost of the war," Trump remarked.
Trump says Iran had 'its way for 47 years'
Asked what would happen if Iran continued testing the US, Trump compared the country to "a spoiled child."
"They've had their own way for 47 years. Like if you're a spoiled child... and all of a sudden they come down hard on you, it takes you a little while to get used to it," he said.
Trump argued that Iran had long acted as "the bully of the Middle East" because previous administrations failed to stand up to it.
He also renewed his criticism of Obama's Iran policy, claiming the former president gave Tehran billions of dollars that ultimately strengthened its military capabilities and nuclear research.
"Barack Obama paid them to try and keep them in line," Trump claimed.
"They paid tens of billions of dollars and you know what they got? They got a lot of nuclear research, and a lot of weapons, and a lot of missiles, and an enemy," he added.
The presdient wrapped up the discussion by criticizing Democratic support among Jewish voters, saying he could not understand "how a Jewish person can vote for a Democrat."
