Trump Denies 'No New Wars' Pledge as 3-Month Iran Conflict Costs $29 Billion
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 7
Trump Denies 'No New Wars' Pledge as 3-Month Iran Conflict Costs $29 Billion
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 7
Summary
Trump said in a Sunday interview he "didn’t guarantee no war," rejecting a campaign pledge critics say clashes with the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran now entering its fourth month.
About $29 billion had been spent on the war by May, and Trump defended keeping it going, calling it not an "endless war" and saying rising fuel costs would fall once it ends.
50,000 U.S. troops remain deployed in the Middle East, with Trump refusing to commit to withdrawals and saying it would be "foolhardy" to pull them out before the conflict is complete.
Pressed on how the war would end, Trump gave few details on negotiations or on removing Iran's highly enriched uranium from fortified bunkers, saying the military would keep fighting if no deal is reached.
The interview underscored wider political strain around the war, with voters frustrated by fuel prices and Trump also defending a proposed compensation fund for supporters despite resistance from congressional Republicans.