Trump on Iran: they kill and we have to be nice to their heritage? But if that's the law, okay

Eventually, U.S. President Donald Trump responded in person on his threats to Iran’s cultural heritage, issued a few days ago via Twitter. He did so yesterday during a press conference organized at a summit with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is on an official visit to the United States.

One of the journalists who spoke asked him to clarify whether indeed Iran’s cultural sites may become targets for future strikes. “Well, as I said yesterday,” Trump said, referring to his meeting with reporters on Monday, “it’s really interesting: they’re allowed to kill our people, to maim our people, to blow up everything we have and there’s nothing that can stop them, and we, on the other hand, according to different laws, should be very careful about their cultural heritage. You know what I tell you? If this is what the law says, I will obey the law. But think about it: they kill our people, they blow up our people, and we have to be very kind to their cultural institutions. But that’s okay. It’s okay with me.”

Diluting Trump’s statements in recent hours had already been the Department of Defense (the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff made it known that any possible American action will comply with international laws on armed conflict) and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who in a tweet expressed his “respect for Persian culture.”

Meanwhile, today, after Iran’s overnight attack on the U.S. bases in al-Asad and Erbil in Iraq, the leaders of the two countries intervened at short notice. Tensions still remain high: “General Soleimani,” said Iranian Prime Minister Hassan Rouhani, “has fought heroically against Isis, against Al Nusrah, against Al Qaeda and others. Had it not been for his war on terror, European capitals would now be in grave danger. Our final response to his assassination will be the ouster of all American forces from the region.” Of the same tenor are the words of Ayatollah Khamenei: “The United States has brought war, division, riots, destruction, and the demolition of the region’s infrastructure. Of course they do this everywhere in the world. This region will not accept the American presence. The nations’ elected governments will not accept the American presence.” Instead, Defense Minister Amir Hatami, speaking on state TV, hinted that there will be no further attacks by Iran: “I hope this was a memorable lesson for America. Iran’s response will be proportional to what America does.”

Trump, in his press conference this afternoon, stated that “the United States will continue to evaluate options in response to Iranian aggression, and will immediately impose additional punitive economic sanctions against the Iranian regime. These strong sanctions will remain in place until Iran modifies its behavior.” Trump then called on the other five nations that, along with the U.S., make up the U.N. Security Council (the U.K., Germany, France, Russia and China) to recognize that “Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions and end its support for terrorism. ”An agreement,“ Trump said, ”is necessary for Iran to grow and prosper and take advantage of its enormous untapped potential. Iran can be a great country." Trump also let it be known that he will ask NATO for greater involvement in Middle East issues. In conclusion, he addressed a message to the Iranian people and their leaders, “We want you to have a future, a great future, the one you deserve, a future of prosperity and harmony with the nations of the world. The United States stands ready to embrace peace with anyone who wants to seek it.”

Pictured: U.S. President Donald Trump

Trump on Iran: they kill and we have to be nice to their heritage? But if that's the law, okay

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