Politics & Government
U.S. 'Cocked And Loaded' For Iran, Trump Says, Then Pulls Back
President Trump said Friday the United States was "cocked and loaded" for an air strike against Iran.
WASHINGTON, DC — The United States was "cocked and loaded" and ready to strike Iran, President Trump said Friday, but added he reversed his position 10 minutes later after he was briefed by a general who said 150 people would likely die in the missile strikes, according to a report by The New York Times.
The president planned the retaliatory strike after Iran reportedly downed an American drone, but said later he is "in no hurry."
Trump also said U.S. economic sanctions are crippling the Iranian economy and more are being added. Iran claimed Friday it had issued several warnings before shooting down the drone over what it said was Iranian territory, The Associated Press reported.
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....On Monday they shot down an unmanned drone flying in International Waters. We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights when I asked, how many will die. 150 people, sir, was the answer from a General. 10 minutes before the strike I stopped it, not....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2019
....Death to America. I terminated deal, which was not even ratified by Congress, and imposed strong sanctions. They are a much weakened nation today than at the beginning of my Presidency, when they were causing major problems throughout the Middle East. Now they are Bust!....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2019
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