Florida [US], December 30 (HBTV): US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that the United States would carry out another military strike against Iran if it attempts to rebuild its ballistic missile or nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump said Washington was closely monitoring Tehran’s actions.
‘I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we are going to have to knock them down. We will knock them down. We will knock the hell out of them,’ Trump said.
When asked whether the US would support an Israeli strike targeting Iran’s missile programme, Trump said he would support an attack on Iran ‘immediately’ if it attempts to redevelop its nuclear capabilities, while urging Tehran to pursue talks with Washington.
‘If they will continue with the missiles, yes. The nuclear? One will be: Yes, absolutely. The other is: We will do it immediately,’ Trump said.
‘That is smarter. They could have made a deal the last time before we went through, you know, a big attack on them,’ he added.
Earlier this year, the US bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran, an operation Trump has repeatedly described as a major military success that ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear programme. However, Netanyahu has recently warned that Iran is once again expanding its ballistic missile programme and is expected to press for tougher action during his meeting with Trump.
Asked whether he would support the overthrow of the Iranian regime, Trump avoided a direct response but spoke about Iran’s internal situation.
‘I am not going to talk about the overthrow of a regime. They have got a lot of problems there. They have tremendous inflation. Their economy is no good, and the people are not happy,’ Trump said.
He added, ‘Every time they have a riot, or whenever somebody forms a group, big or small, they start shooting people. They kill people. I have watched this for years. There is tremendous discontent.’
The remarks come as Netanyahu and Trump meet at the Mar-a-Lago club to discuss the second phase of the Gaza peace plan. (ANI)