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President Trump is threatening to escalate the war in Iran, after telling the nation on Wednesday that the conflict could end in two to three weeks. Taurean Small has more details.
Tonight, President Trump is in Washington, DC. He has kept a pretty low profile since his last public appearance Wednesday, when he addressed the nation on the war in Iran. CBS’s Taurean Small is at the White House with more on that.
Taurean: Good evening, Jericka. Tonight, the president is threatening to escalate the war in Iran. This after telling the nation only days ago the conflict could end in two to three weeks.
Trump: I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly.
Taurean Small: But it’s been a series of conflicting messages. This week, he described Iran’s ability to defend its airspace as decimated. During week 5 of the war, Iran shot down two US warplanes. At home, the economic costs adding up fast. Energy costs surging, fueling inflation.
Speaker: We are very dangerously—we’re lurching again into another forever war.
Taurean Small: Maryland Governor Wes Moore told CBS’s Ed O’Keefe he doesn’t buy the president’s timeline.
Wes Moore: This is a forever war that is very similar to the one that I fought in, where I led soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan.
Taurean Small: Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz further inflaming Trump’s criticism of NATO allies for not jumping in the fight.
Speaker: Today, the biggest challenge to the alliance’s future is actually President Trump.
Taurean Small: Former George W. Bush Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary for NATO and Europe Policy Ian Brzezinski weighed in.
Ian Brzezinski: It’s disconcerting because he’s putting at risk something that’s invaluable to the promotion and protection of our interests.
Taurean Small: NATO allies calling the conflict America’s war of choice.
Speaker: And that’s why I’ve been absolutely clear that this is not our war, and we’re not going to get dragged into it.
Taurean Small: President Trump is set to meet with NATO Chief Mark Rutte at the White House next week. And, Jericka, today is the 77th anniversary of the alliance’s founding.
Jericka Duncan: All right. Taurean Small, thank you.