Trump: Iran a ‘nation of terror,’ was behind tanker attacks


The US President Donald Trump. (Reuters)

Calling Iran “a nation of terror,” President Donald Trump confirmed the assessment of his top advisers and publicly accused Tehran of responsibility for recent attacks on tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said on Friday that Iran’s culpability was “exposed” by the United States. While calling into Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends,” he said of the Thursday attacks, “Iran did do it.”

While Iran has denied being involved in the attacks, US Central Command released footage it said shows Iran’s Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded limpet mine from the Japanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous.

Trump did not preview any potential US response to the attack, saying the US has been “very tough on sanctions.” He added: “They’ve been told in very strong terms we want to get them back to the table.”

The tanker attacks coincided with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Iran. Abe, a Trump ally, had taken a similar message encouraging a return to negotiations on his visit to Tehran.

US officials said on Thursday that the Trump administration was considering a return to providing naval escorts to vessels transiting through the maritime choke point. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a prominent ally of the Republican president, called on the US to begin the escorts immediately in an interview with “Fox & Friends” earlier on Friday.

Trump warned Iran not to close off the Strait of Hormuz, saying if it is closed it won’t be closed for long.

Last Update: Friday, 14 June 2019 KSA 16:57 – GMT 13:57
Source :

AP

You may also like...

Random news

About us


Our Newly established Center for study of Asian Affairs has
branches in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as freelances in some other countries.

For inquires, please contact: newsofasia.info@yahoo.com Mr.Mohd Zarif - Secretary of the Center and administer of the web-site www.newsofasia.net

Polls

Which region news you interested in most?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...