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Trump on Going to War With Iran: I 'Hope Not'

Trump on Going to War With Iran: I 'Hope Not'
President Donald Trump, left,  greets Switzerland's President Ueli Maurer before a meeting at the White House Thursday. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

Thursday, 16 May 2019 01:08 PM EDT

President Donald Trump said  Thursday he hoped the United States was not heading to war with Iran as he met with Switzerland President Ueli Maurer, whose nation has served as a diplomatic conduit between the two countries.

Asked by reporters Washington was going to war with Tehran, Trump responded, "Hope not" as he greeted Maurer at the White House.

Tensions have escalated in recent days with increasing concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. Earlier this week the United States pulled some diplomatic staff from its embassy in Baghdad following weekend attacks on four oil tankers in the Gulf.

Switzerland, a neutral country, has historically been a liaison between the United States and Iran, which have no diplomatic relations.

A White House statement said the two leaders discussed "a range of international issues, including the crises in the Middle East and in Venezuela."

"President Trump expressed his gratitude for Switzerland’s role in facilitating international mediation and diplomatic relations on behalf of the United States," the statement said.

The Washington Post, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported late Wednesday that Trump preferred a diplomatic route with Iran and direct talks with its leaders but worried that some of his advisers were pushing war.

The New York Times also said Trump told his acting defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, that he does not want to go to war with Iran, according to several administration officials

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends" that there is no friction between Trump and his advisers and he welcomes different viewpoints.

"He’s the one the American people elected. He’s going to take in the information and the guidance from all of his national security team and he then will make a decision on what he thinks is the best and safest thing for the American people," she said.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday welcomed what she called Trump's lack of "appetite" for military conflict with Tehran.

© 2025 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.

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President Donald Trump said on Thursday he hoped the United States was not heading to war with Iran as he prepared to meet with Switzerland President Ueli Maurer, whose nation has served as a diplomatic conduit between the two countries.
trump, war, iran
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2019-08-16
Thursday, 16 May 2019 01:08 PM
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