No plans to pull troops out of Iran war: Trump

Islamic Republic has not agreed to a deal to end the war as they are strong and proud, says US president

Washington: US President Donald Trump said he had no plans to withdraw the roughly 50,000 troops involved in the Iran war until “we have a completion” in the country.

“I don't consider (the troops) in danger,” Trump told NBC News, citing the US military's capabilities. “It would be foolhardy to do that because maybe we may use them.”

Trump dismissed criticism of the pace of the operation, comparing it with the Vietnam War, which lasted 19 years. “I'm into my third month, and all they do is say, 'Whoa, when are you going to win?'” he said.

The president said 13 US personnel had been killed in the conflict. “Thirteen people is too many. I don't want to lose any. But compared with many recent wars, the number is far lower than anybody envisioned,” he said, adding: “We’re doing a great job.”

MOJTABA IS MORE RATIONAL: TRUMP

Trump said Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was “more rational” than his predecessor and had been “pretty badly injured”. 

“Younger, I think, more rational. Injured, he's pretty badly injured. So there's a certain bravery there,” Trump said. He declined to say whether he knew Mojtaba's location. “There’s a good probability I do,” he said.

Trump said Iranian leaders had yet to reach a deal with Washington as they were “strong” and “proud”, but added they ultimately had “no choice” but to reach an agreement. “They’re strong, they’re proud. There are things they never thought they’d be doing that they’re going to have to do. They’ve got no choice, and it takes a little while,” he said.

He said: “Iranian leaders have been fighting for 47 years. They’ve been killing Americans.”

TRUMPSPEAK

If we make a deal and become friendly, we’ll remove and destroy the equipment, either on-site or elsewhere.

We’ll do it with them or without them, but we won't have people shooting at us. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll take them out militarily and wait until then before leaving. Either way, we’ll be safe.

Any agreement must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. They don’t have the right to develop, purchase or acquire them.

I would like to see Lebanon experience a better life. I would like to see a more surgical attack against Hezbollah. I think it should be more surgical.