Washington, United States. US President Donald Trump is interested in calling on Arab countries to pay for the cost of the Iran war, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday. She added that Trump would have more to say on the issue.
White House comments on funding proposal
Asked at a news briefing whether Arab countries would step up to help pay for the war, Leavitt said she would not get ahead of the Republican president but described it as an idea Trump has raised.
“I think it’s something the President would be quite interested in calling them to do,” Leavitt said.
“It’s an idea that I know that he has and something that I think you’ll hear more from him on.”
Leavitt says talks with Iran continue
Leavitt said talks with Iran were continuing and progressing well, adding that what Tehran says publicly differs from what it tells US officials in private and that Iran had privately agreed to some of Washington’s points.
“Despite all of the public posturing you hear from the regime and false reporting, talks are continuing and going well. What is said publicly is, of course, much different than what’s being communicated to us privately,” Leavitt said.
She said the US would test anything Iran communicates privately and would ensure Tehran is held accountable to its word.
Trump issues warning over Strait of Hormuz
Earlier on Monday, Trump warned that Iran’s energy plants and oil wells would be obliterated if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran described US peace proposals as “unrealistic” and fired waves of missiles at Israel.
What do you think Arab countries’ role should be in covering the costs of the Iran war?