Donald Trump discussed “killing Iranians” in a furious rant while he was surrounded by schoolchildren on Tuesday. The US President said Iran should “do the smart thing” amid the ceasefire, adding that he doesn’t want to “go in and kill people” because they’re “great people”.
He said: “We don’t want to go in and kill people, we really don’t. I don’t want to. I don’t want to. It’s too tough. Great people, I know the people. I have so many Iranian friends from New York and from other places over the years. They’re great people. I don’t want to kill those people.”
Journalist Barak Ravid reported that a senior US administration official informed Iran in advance on Sunday about the planned operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and warned Tehran not to interfere.
This was followed on Tuesday by a message from Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who maintained that the ceasefire was still in effect.
Mr Caine said the US military is prepared to quickly resume the war if the president orders it.
Speaking at the Pentagon briefing room, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran will face “overwhelming American firepower” if they attack American troops.
He said: “To what remains of Iran’s forces, if you attack American troops or innocent commercial shipping, you will face overwhelming American firepower.
“The president has been very clear about this. We prefer this to be a peaceful mission, but we are locked and loaded to defend our people, our ships, our aircraft and this mission without hesitation.”
