U.S. President Donald Trump called the six-month military clash with Iran a "small matter" and hinted at the possibility of additional strikes on "Pickaxe," suspected to be Iran's underground nuclear facility.
On the 4th (local time), after signing an executive order at the White House, President Trump told reporters he does "not call it a war" with Iran, saying, "It is a military clash, and for us it is small potatoes."
He said, "I would call it intermittent clashes. We strike them intermittently," and argued, "Right now we are not fighting, and there is no combat."
He also stressed that Iran's development of nuclear weapons has been blocked. President Trump said, "Iran will not have nuclear weapons," adding, "We have stopped them from having nuclear weapons."
He also mentioned the possibility of additional strikes. President Trump said, "If something is going on at Pickaxe, we could hit it soon."
Pickaxe is believed to be an area with Iran's underground nuclear-related facilities. As observations emerged that Iran moved part of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium there, the possibility of additional U.S. strikes has been continually discussed.
President Trump also claimed he is tracking movements inside Iran through the U.S. military's surveillance capabilities. He said that through U.S. Space Force surveillance, "We know everyone moving at Pickaxe," and "We know everyone moving throughout Iran." He warned that if the situation worsens, the United States would "hit hard."
On the issue of mines in the Strait of Hormuz, he suggested the danger has now been removed. President Trump said there are "no mines at all" in the strait and claimed U.S. Navy minesweepers had cleared all the mines believed to have been laid by Iran.
He also sparred with a reporter over U.S. troop deaths and long-term deployments. When a reporter asked how he could consider the clash with Iran a small matter when 18 U.S. service members had died, President Trump pushed back by citing the deployment duration of the Vietnam War.
Even when pointed out that the clash with Iran has lasted more than six months, President Trump emphasized that a key achievement since he took office has been preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Diplomatic moves to end the war between Ukraine and Russia are also continuing. President Trump said his envoy Steve Witkoff and his eldest son-in-law Jared Kushner will deliver a new peace proposal to Russia and Ukraine.
Asked whether the peace plan includes the transfer of Ukrainian territory demanded by Russia, he said, "No." He added, "We have a plan for peace," and "We sent them to see if we can get something done."
According to foreign media, Witkoff and Kushner are set to visit Moscow, Russia, on the 5th and then go to Kyiv, Ukraine, on the 6th.
President Trump drew a line on suggestions that Russia might attack NATO territory after a suspected sabotage incident in Germany. Referring to his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, "Putin does not seek to attack NATO territory."
Earlier, on the 26th of last month, President Trump also made remarks suggesting there could be progress toward ending the war between Russia and Ukraine in connection with the secret visit to Moscow by John Ratcliffe, the CIA Director.