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Trump: This is the calm before the storm | Trump: This is the calm before the storm |
(35 minutes later) | |
US President Donald Trump has said it is the "calm before the storm" as he met military leaders, without giving further details. | US President Donald Trump has said it is the "calm before the storm" as he met military leaders, without giving further details. |
The cryptic comments came hours after reports he was planning to withhold support for the Iran nuclear deal. | The cryptic comments came hours after reports he was planning to withhold support for the Iran nuclear deal. |
But the "storm" could also refer to heightened tensions with North Korea. | But the "storm" could also refer to heightened tensions with North Korea. |
He had earlier told his top defence officials he expected them to provide "a broad range of military options... at a much faster pace" in future. | He had earlier told his top defence officials he expected them to provide "a broad range of military options... at a much faster pace" in future. |
Mr Trump, posing with his wife Melania, as well as military leaders and their wives ahead of a White House dinner following Thursday's meetings, asked the waiting press if they knew "what this represents". | Mr Trump, posing with his wife Melania, as well as military leaders and their wives ahead of a White House dinner following Thursday's meetings, asked the waiting press if they knew "what this represents". |
"Maybe it's the calm before the storm," he said. | "Maybe it's the calm before the storm," he said. |
But when the waiting journalists pressed him on what storm he was referring to, he would only say: "You'll find out." | But when the waiting journalists pressed him on what storm he was referring to, he would only say: "You'll find out." |
What storm? | What storm? |
The Trump administration's sights appear to be set on two countries in particular currently: North Korea and Iran. Both involve nuclear programmes, and both were touched on during Thursday's talks with US military leaders. | The Trump administration's sights appear to be set on two countries in particular currently: North Korea and Iran. Both involve nuclear programmes, and both were touched on during Thursday's talks with US military leaders. |
Mr Trump accused Iran of having "not lived up to the spirit of the agreement" brokered with Iran under his predecessor, Barack Obama. | Mr Trump accused Iran of having "not lived up to the spirit of the agreement" brokered with Iran under his predecessor, Barack Obama. |
The 2015 accord was designed to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon, with the president's administration having to certify to Congress that Iran is upholding its part of the deal every 90 days. | The 2015 accord was designed to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon, with the president's administration having to certify to Congress that Iran is upholding its part of the deal every 90 days. |
Mr Trump has previously described the deal signed by Iran, the US, the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany as "one of the worst deals I've seen". | Mr Trump has previously described the deal signed by Iran, the US, the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany as "one of the worst deals I've seen". |
US media say the president will announce next Thursday that he would not be certifying the deal on the grounds it does not serve US security interests. | |
This would leave Congress sixty days to decide whether to re-impose sanctions on Iran. | This would leave Congress sixty days to decide whether to re-impose sanctions on Iran. |
But some of his top advisers, such as Defence Secretary James Mattis, appear to back the deal. | But some of his top advisers, such as Defence Secretary James Mattis, appear to back the deal. |
Speaking in the White House's Cabinet Room, President Trump said: "The Iranian regime supports terrorism and exports violence and chaos across the Middle East." | Speaking in the White House's Cabinet Room, President Trump said: "The Iranian regime supports terrorism and exports violence and chaos across the Middle East." |
"That is why we must put an end to Iran's continued aggression and nuclear ambitions. You will be hearing about Iran very shortly." | "That is why we must put an end to Iran's continued aggression and nuclear ambitions. You will be hearing about Iran very shortly." |
However, Mr Trump's "storm" could also refer to North Korea, which the US wants to halt its weapons programme. | However, Mr Trump's "storm" could also refer to North Korea, which the US wants to halt its weapons programme. |
Mr Trump has engaged in a war of words with the country's leader, Kim Jong-un, in recent months, threatening to "totally destroy" North Korea during a speech at the UN General Assembly in September. | Mr Trump has engaged in a war of words with the country's leader, Kim Jong-un, in recent months, threatening to "totally destroy" North Korea during a speech at the UN General Assembly in September. |
The US wants Pyongyang to halt its weapons programme, which has seen it perform repeated missile tests, as well as claim to have successfully tested a miniaturised hydrogen bomb which could be loaded on to a long-range missile. | |
On Thursday, Mr Trump's words were more measured. | |
"In North Korea, our goal is denuclearisation," he said. "We cannot allow this dictatorship to threaten our nation or our allies with unimaginable loss of life." | "In North Korea, our goal is denuclearisation," he said. "We cannot allow this dictatorship to threaten our nation or our allies with unimaginable loss of life." |
"We will do what we must do to prevent that from happening. And it will be done, if necessary, believe me." | "We will do what we must do to prevent that from happening. And it will be done, if necessary, believe me." |