US President Donald Trump has described the ongoing conflict with Iran as a ‘minor matter’ for the United States.
This remark is seen as part of his administration’s effort to downplay the significance of the conflict ahead of the crucial midterm elections in November.
Earlier on Thursday, US Vice President JD Vance had said, “Even though clashes between Iran and the US around the Strait of Hormuz are escalating, I wouldn’t call it a war.”
A day later, on Friday, responding to questions from journalists in the Oval Office, Trump said, “Many people don’t call it a war. I call it a military conflict, because it’s a minor matter for us.”
Trump added, “It’s not a big deal. We did it in Venezuela, and we’ve done it here too.”
He was accompanied by cattle ranchers invited to a ceremony where he signed two executive orders regarding beef processing.
Amidst this six-month-long conflict, Iran has been disrupting shipping in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
With fuel prices rising, Trump’s Republican Party faces the risk of losing control of Congress in the November midterm elections.
For this reason, the Trump administration is attempting to downplay the impact of the conflict.
Trump stated that the US is carrying out ‘sporadic attacks,’ but ‘we are not at war right now.’
He reiterated his claim that the US has effectively established control over the Strait of Hormuz and has largely destroyed Iran’s military capabilities.
Trump said, “What we’ve done is incredible. We took over Venezuela, and Iran has effectively come under our control as well.”
Trump grew increasingly irritated when journalists asked how he could call this conflict a ‘minor matter’ after 18 US soldiers had been killed.
He compared the conflict with Iran to the long-term wars the US fought in Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Trump said, “I don’t think what you call it matters. The important thing is that we have achieved massive success.” We have stopped Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
