Trump 'hopes' US has no need to go to war with Iran
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he hoped the
United States was not heading to war with Iran as he met with Switzerland
President Ueli Maurer, whose nation has served as a diplomatic conduit between
the two countries.
Asked by reporters Washington was going to war with Tehran,
Trump responded, “Hope not” as he greeted Maurer at the White House.
Tensions have escalated in recent days with increasing
concerns about a potential US-Iran conflict. Earlier this week the United
States pulled some diplomatic staff from its embassy in Baghdad following
weekend attacks on four oil tankers in the Gulf.
Switzerland, a neutral country, has historically been a
liaison between the United States and Iran, which have no diplomatic relations.
A White House statement said the two leaders discussed “a
range of international issues, including the crises in the Middle East and in
Venezuela.”
“President Trump expressed his gratitude for Switzerland’s
role in facilitating international mediation and diplomatic relations on behalf
of the United States,” the statement said.
The Washington Post, citing unnamed US officials, reported
late Wednesday that Trump preferred a diplomatic route with Iran and direct
talks with its leaders but worried that some of his advisers were pushing war.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told Fox News
Channel’s “Fox & Friends” that there is no friction between Trump and his
advisers and he welcomes different viewpoints.
“He’s the one the American people elected. He’s going to
take in the information and the guidance from all of his national security team
and he then will make a decision on what he thinks is the best and safest thing
for the American people,” she said.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday welcomed what she
called Trump’s lack of “appetite” for military conflict with Tehran.