Trump Says Iran Asked Him to Stop Killing Its Leaders, and He Will
Trump said Iran asked the US to stop killing its leaders and that the US will, on the eve of the midterms. He also said the US won the war. Tehran has not responded publicly.
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President Donald Trump said Iran asked the US to stop killing its leaders, and that the US will. He made the remark on Monday, Nov. 2, on the eve of the midterm elections.
Clash Report carried the clip, and news accounts relayed it as “Iran asked to stop killing its leaders, we will.” We could not confirm the venue or his surrounding words, and Tehran has not publicly responded.
What Trump Said
The remark came minutes after another clip, which Clash Report also shared. In it, Trump says the US won its war with Iran, in his words: “We had a war with Iran. We won.”
Bulwark Clips shared a longer version. Trump added that it may not be a war, because there has been no fighting “for months.” We could not confirm both clips come from one speech.
The Killings Behind the Remark
The US and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and others, Barlekha Today reported. Mojtaba Khamenei now holds the post.
Trump has raised the issue before. In Georgia on Oct. 24, he said “I gotta stop” killing Iranian leaders to find negotiating partners, Anadolu reported.
In Iowa on Nov. 1, he said the US “may have gone a little too far,” Barlekha Today reported. He added nobody is left to talk to.
Channel 12 reported on Monday that Trump is unsure who makes decisions in Iran, the Times of Israel noted. We covered that interview.
Diplomacy and Pressure
Qatari mediators travel to Tehran late Monday to discuss a draft US-Iran deal with Araghchi, Reuters reported. We covered the Qatari trip.
Iran’s foreign ministry says the ball is in the US court, Iran International reported. Tehran says Hormuz cannot reopen until the US ends its naval blockade.
Trump’s tone has swung between conciliation and threats. In Kansas on Sunday he said he wants to treat Iran kindly, but may strike “at some point,” Tuoi Tre reported.
Iran’s military spokesman said on Nov. 1 that a future war could outlast the last, Tuoi Tre reported. Gulf states are also bracing for strikes after Tuesday’s vote, as we covered.
Why Markets Care
Oil fell nearly 8% on Monday on hopes that diplomacy could prevent a new round of fighting, as we reported. Trump has said a deal or an end to the war would bring prices “plunging.”
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