Trump endorsed Vance’s statement on Thursday that the current situation should not be termed a “war,” asserting that military conflict between the U.S. and Iran is “not a major issue” for the United States, noting that the 18 U.S. military fatalities incurred fall far short of the casualties seen in the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars. He also stated that military action against Fordow could be taken “very soon.” Previously, he had repeatedly threatened to strike Iran’s underground nuclear facilities at Fordow.
U.S. President Trump has again downplayed the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, which has persisted for several months.
On Friday, September 4 (Eastern Time), Trump stated that the situation between the United States and Iran is merely a "military conflict" and a "small potatoes" issue for the U.S. He described current U.S. military actions against Iran as "intermittent strikes" and echoed Vice President Vance's earlier assertion that the current situation should not be termed a "war."
However, while downplaying the impact of the conflict, Trump signaled further military action. He indicated that the U.S. might "soon" strike Iran's Fordow site. According to previous reports by Xinhua News Agency, the Fordow facility is located near the Natanz nuclear complex in Isfahan Province, central Iran, and is considered one of Iran's most fortified underground nuclear facilities.
Trump also reiterated the U.S. military casualties resulting from this conflict, stating that 18 American service members have died, and compared this figure to U.S. casualty scales in the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that, to date, the cost of this conflict to U.S. taxpayers has exceeded $37.5 billion.
Trump describes it as merely a "military conflict": "not a big deal" for the U.S.
Trump made the aforementioned remarks regarding the Iran conflict when asked about Vice President Vance's related statements from the previous day.
At a White House press briefing held on Thursday, September 3, Vance refused to use the term "war" to describe the current U.S.-Iran situation and stated he would not predict whether the conflict, which has lasted more than six months, would end before the November midterm elections.
On Friday, Trump expressed his understanding of Vance's comments, stating that he too prefers to refer to the current situation as a "military conflict." He noted that the U.S. is currently conducting only "intermittent strikes" against Iran, adding that it is "just small potatoes for us, not a big deal."
Although Trump used the phrase "small potatoes" to emphasize the limited impact of the conflict on the United States, the confrontation has already persisted for more than half a year.
The U.S. military and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran in late February this year. Iran subsequently retaliated, leading to a cycle of recurrent military actions by both sides until June, when the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding, establishing an initial ceasefire framework. However, last weekend, hostilities resumed after a one-month hiatus, once again escalating regional tensions.
Fordow site targeted again; Trump had previously threatened strikes on multiple occasions.
On Friday, Trump stated that the United States "could soon" take military action against the Fordow site.
According to reports, the Fordow site is located near Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility. It is a heavily fortified underground complex featuring two deeply buried tunnel networks.
Trump has previously publicly threatened to strike Iranian facilities at the "Fordow" site on multiple occasions.
Xinhua News Agency reported that on July 21, Trump stated that the United States "could soon" strike the underground nuclear facilities at Fordow. When asked that day whether Iran had transferred centrifuges to the Fordow tunnel complex, Trump said it was "possible" that Iran had done so, but the United States had "no definitive records." Trump also stated that the U.S. focus was on nuclear materials and indicated that strikes on the area "could come soon" and would be "very powerful."
According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump again threatened on July 28 that if the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement, the U.S. would strike Iran's underground nuclear facilities at Fordow. At the time, Trump claimed to be "very clear" about the situation at Fordow and stated that if no deal was reached between the U.S. and Iran, Fordow must be destroyed.
Therefore, Trump's remarks this Friday amounted to another signal of potential military action against Iran's underground nuclear facilities.
Eighteen U.S. service members killed; Trump draws comparisons with the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars.
On the same day, Trump also addressed U.S. military casualties in the conflict.
He stated that 18 U.S. service members had died so far, noting that "even one is too many," but subsequently compared this figure to the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars, pointing out that the U.S. lost tens of thousands of troops in Vietnam and suffered significant casualties in Afghanistan as well.
Trump used this opportunity to emphasize that the casualty scale of this conflict is far lower than that of the major wars the United States has sustained over many years in the past.
According to the Associated Press, as of Friday, September 4, the conflict had resulted in the deaths of 18 U.S. military personnel and imposed costs exceeding $37.5 billion on American taxpayers.
While Trump downplayed the scale of the conflict, U.S. military and economic pressure against Iran has not ceased. The Associated Press reported that the Trump administration recently resumed air strikes and continued to increase economic pressure on Iran through sanctions.
Editor/Stephen