President Trump Issues Renewed Threats to Iran Amid Ongoing Conflict
President Trump speaks as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (center) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine look on during a news conference at the White House on April 6. Alex Wong/Getty Images
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During a press conference on Monday, President Trump reiterated his threats towards Iran, following the successful rescue of a downed airman over the weekend. “The entire country can be taken out in one night and that night might be tomorrow night,” he warned.
Trump elaborated on the rescue mission, labeling his decision to authorize it as both “risky” and “hard.” He emphasized the U.S. military’s commitment to leaving no American behind. The president also remarked that Iran “got lucky” with the recent downing of a U.S. fighter jet.
CIA Director John Radcliffe, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine provided details about the rescue operation during the conference. This marked Trump’s first press interaction since the U.S. and Israel initiated a conflict with Iran over a month ago.
When questioned about the mixed messages regarding the war’s progression, Trump responded, “I don’t know. I can’t tell. It depends what they do. This is a critical period. They have a period of, well, till tomorrow, at eight o’clock.”
Although he declined to discuss a potential ceasefire, Trump indicated that the U.S. had “an active, willing participant on the other side” of negotiations.
In response to concerns about potential war crimes linked to bombing, Trump stated, “No. I hope I don’t have to do it.”
The press conference followed a formal address by Trump last week, where he hinted that the conflict might end “shortly” and called for international efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global oil transport.
The closure of the strait by Iran has led to a spike in global gas prices, reaching about $4 per gallon in the U.S. Trump has threatened a surge in strikes on Iran if the strait remains closed, dubbing Tuesday as “Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one.”
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have seen some progress, with a 45-day ceasefire proposal submitted to both parties. Trump described the proposal as “a significant step.”
Despite Trump’s assertions that the war would last approximately six weeks, the conflict has persisted, raising questions about the administration’s goals and the feasibility of achieving them.
Polls indicate growing opposition to the war among Americans, with a dip in approval ratings for Trump among his Republican base. A CNN poll revealed a drop in strong approval from 52% in January to 43% last week.
With midterm elections approaching, high costs, including fuel prices, are a major concern for voters. Trump has acknowledged that these prices might persist into the summer. “We’re never going to let them have a nuclear weapon,” he asserted, adding that paying a bit more for fuel is a price worth paying to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.
This story will be updated.
