U.S. < New York Times > 16 revealed a key inside story about the situation between the United States and Iraq: U.S. President Donald Trump told his acting defense minister Shanahan that he did not want to go to war with Iran. According to several government officials, he told his aides that intense U.S. pressure on Tehran's government should not be escalated to a public conflict.
(< New York Times > report screenshot)
Trump made the statement at a briefing on Iran on the morning of the 15th, local time, the report said. On the same day, US intelligence agencies reported to Trump that Iran had installed missiles on its ships in the Persian Gulf, fearing that Tehran might attack the assets of US army and its allies.
At the meeting, the U.S. military and intelligence agents did not provide Trump with new information advocating further engagement with Iran, according to a source at the briefing. But according to some officials, Trump is adamant that he does not want to have an military conflict. With the Iranians.
When asked by the journalist whether the United States would go to war with Iran on the 16th, Trump replied, "I hope not," the report said.
The Washington Post also reported that Trump was "angry" with some of his senior advisers, who he thought could plunge the United States into a military confrontation with Iran. Thus breaking his promise to withdraw from expensive foreign wars. The Washington Post said Trump is more inclined to deal with tensions diplomatically and wants direct dialogue with Iranian leaders.