Trump Tells CNN Renewed Strikes on Iran Are 'Highly Unlikely' If Talks Progress

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said in a roughly 20-minute phone interview with CNN on November 8 that he is highly unlikely to order fresh attacks on Iran as long as talks to end the conflict progress. Reuters reported the main points of the interview the same day.

Trump repeated the assessment five times during the interview. He said it depends on whether Iran signs a very strong agreement, and that "the answer is, highly unlikely it's going to be necessary." The negotiations cover Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also said U.S. forces stand ready: Washington has identified potential infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges that he said could be knocked down "in literally one hour," and a third aircraft carrier has just arrived in the region, with all three carriers in place and ready. He called Iran a failing nation, citing by his account an inflation rate of 301% this year, and said the United States had hit Iran very hard and could finish it off if he chose, but that he did not expect to need to.

Qatar said Trump had called Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss de-escalation. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has in recent days publicly questioned whether the talks have actually taken place. Eight months after the war began, the two sides remain deadlocked militarily and diplomatically, and ships in or near the Strait of Hormuz have continued to come under attack in recent days.

(Source: CNN)

Source: CNN

Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图：特朗普与国家安全团队在白宫战情室开会（白宫官方照片，资料图）。公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: President Trump and his national security team meet in the Situation Room of the White House (White House photo, file photo). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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