Donald Trump says he stopped strike that would have killed 150 people in Iran "10 minutes" before launch
Trump says the US was "cocked and loaded."
Donald Trump has taken to Twitter to claim that he decided against launching an attack on Iran on Thursday night, just minutes before the attack was due to take place.
"On Monday they shot down an unmanned drone flying in International Waters. We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights when I asked, how many will die. 150 people, sir, was the answer from a General," he tweeted. "10 minutes before the strike I stopped it, not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone."
He added: "I am in no hurry, our Military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world. Sanctions are biting & more added last night.
"Iran can NEVER have Nuclear Weapons, not against the USA, and not against the WORLD!"
It was Donald Trump himself who originally reneged on the bilateral nuclear treaty with Iran, after promising to do so throughout his presidential campaign.
Of the deal, Trump tweeted: "I terminated deal, which was not even ratified by Congress, and imposed strong sanctions. They are a much weakened nation today than at the beginning of my Presidency, when they were causing major problems throughout the Middle East."
....Death to America. I terminated deal, which was not even ratified by Congress, and imposed strong sanctions. They are a much weakened nation today than at the beginning of my Presidency, when they were causing major problems throughout the Middle East. Now they are Bust!....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2019
Tensions are high between the US and Iran at the moment. The two countries have had an adversarial relationship for decades, and neither country is now abiding by the treaty signed during President Obama's tenure.
The latest friction is a result of US claims that Iran has shot at its oil tankers, and at an unmanned drone.
....proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone. I am in no hurry, our Military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world. Sanctions are biting & more added last night. Iran can NEVER have Nuclear Weapons, not against the USA, and not against the WORLD!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2019
