White House Clarifies Trump Remarks About Iranian Threat to US Cities

Washington: The White House has rejected an interpretation of President Donald Trump’s remarks about Los Angeles and San Diego, saying he was warning about the potential threat posed by an Iranian nuclear capability.

Trump made the remarks during a campaign rally in Nebraska on Monday while defending higher oil prices linked to the conflict with Iran.

The president said the economic cost was part of the price of protecting the United States and the wider world.

He then referred to the possibility of an Iranian attack on a US city, mentioning Los Angeles and San Diego.

The remarks quickly drew attention on social media, with Democratic politicians criticising what they viewed as a suggestion that Iran could destroy American cities.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Trump was suggesting that a foreign enemy could destroy Los Angeles and San Diego. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also criticised the remarks.

The White House rejected that interpretation.

White House communications director Steven Cheung said Trump was explaining that American cities could face a serious threat if Iran were allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

The White House also criticised a Los Angeles Times headline that interpreted Trump’s comments as giving Iran permission to target Los Angeles and San Diego.

According to the White House, Trump’s broader point was that the United States was seeking to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons because such a capability could eventually pose a direct threat to American cities.