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Trump floats Iran as anti-terror partner after strikes

In an address at the White House this morning, President Donald Trump alternated between using carrot and stick with Tehran.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a statement about Iran flanked by U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Army Chief of Staff General James McConville, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Mark Milley and Vice President Mike Pence in the Grand Foyer at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC2TBE9UDOX3
US President Donald Trump delivers a statement about Iran flanked by US Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Army Chief of Staff General James McConville, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Mark Milley and Vice President Mike Pence in the Grand Foyer at the White House in Washington, US, Jan. 8, 2020. — REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

In a blistering response at the White House today to an Iranian missile attack against Iraqi bases that house US troops, President Donald Trump alternated between using carrot and stick with Tehran: floating the possibility of military cooperation against the terror groups while pledging to step up sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

“As long as I am president of the United States, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. Good morning,” Trump opened Wednesday’s remarks, more than 18 hours after the Pentagon said Iran launched 15 missiles at large Iraqi bases at Al-Asad and Erbil. “No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime.”

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