Trump Says He Held Off a Major New Strike on Iran at the Request of Saudi and Other Gulf Allies
US President Donald Trump has said that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf countries asked him to hold off, for now, on a major new attack against Iran. But he claimed that if he wanted, he could destroy Iran's energy infrastructure, bridges and production plants within just three days.
Trump made the remarks on Thursday (November 12) in an interview with American journalist Stephen A. Smith at the White House.
The US president said he could end the war right now if he wanted. But at the request of regional allies, he is maintaining the current economic and military pressure.
Trump said Saudi Arabia had asked him to let the situation stay as it is for some days. He also said Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain prefer this current strategy as well.
However, Trump expressed doubt over whether he fully agrees with the position of the allied countries.
Asked whether he would have carried out more attacks on Iran without the allies' request, Trump answered directly: 'Yes, I would.'
Claiming that the United States has not yet dealt a major blow to Iran's energy infrastructure and bridges, Trump said, 'In one day their energy sector will be finished. In one day their bridges will be destroyed and in one day their production capacity will be finished. It will take me only three days to do all this.'
In the interview, Trump admitted that the rise in fuel oil prices caused by the war led to the Republicans' defeat in the midterm elections. Despite all that, he strongly defended his decision to attack Iran.
