Trump: Iran ‘Probably’ Remains a Terrorist Nation

Says there is still 'always a chance' of war with Iran

In an interview Wednesday on Britain’s ITV, President Trump reiterated that he does not want a war with Iran, and would much rather talk, saying that there is “always a chance” of a war.

He gave the impression that’s getting less likely, however, calling them “extremely hostile when I first came into office,” adding “they were a terrorist nation, number one in the world at that time and probably maybe are today.”

That is a highly unusual thing for any US politician to say, as the broad official position is that no matter what Iran is doing at any given time, they are always the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. Trump suggested that there some question to that.

The reiteration that Trump isn’t looking for a war with Iran is important, as other officials have continued to talk up the escalation of tensions in recent weeks despite him making it clear this was his position.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.