Article By IranIntl
President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego has sparked a backlash from California officials and prompted the White House to insist that he was misunderstood as he defended the mounting costs of the war with Tehran.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday, Trump described higher prices associated with the conflict as “a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, for keeping our country safe.”
“They could take out a city,” Trump said. “Let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon.” The crowd cheered.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump “deranged and dangerous,” while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said his comments were “dangerous” and could compromise the city’s safety.
The White House said Trump was not advocating an Iranian attack on American cities. Communications Director Steven Cheung said the president was arguing that US action had prevented a nuclear-armed Iran from acquiring the ability to threaten them.
Trump has repeatedly justified the US intervention in the war as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
In Nebraska, he said the conflict was “essentially almost over with” and would end soon “one way or the other.”
The remarks come less than a month before the midterm elections, with the Iran war and the higher energy prices associated with it emerging as liabilities for Republicans. Support for the war has fallen to 32% among US adults, the lowest level recorded by Silver Bulletin’s polling average.
His latest remarks come as efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict remain deadlocked, with Qatar and other mediators trying to bridge differences over the US naval blockade, the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief.
The two sides have continued to signal an openness to diplomacy, but their positions have hardened in recent days as the US builds up its military presence in the region and Tehran insists it will not negotiate under military pressure.
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