’I Don’t Care About the Europeans’ After Questions on Iran Crisis - Trump

By Staff, Agencies

US President Donald Trump said he “doesn’t care about the Europeans” when it comes to dealing with Iran as tension between Washington and Tehran escalates.

Trump said he had called off an attack against Iran in response to the shooting down of an American drone because he “didn’t think it was proportionate”.

“I’m not looking for war and if there is, it’ll be obliteration like you’ve never seen before. But I’m not looking to do that.”

Trump dismissed European leaders’ efforts to uphold the Iranian nuclear deal forged between world powers in 2015.

“I don’t care about the Europeans,” he said. “The Europeans are going out and making a lot of money … In France, they’re selling cars to Iran. They’re doing other things.”

He added: “And let me tell you, we’re very good to Europe. We take care of them. NATO, we spend a tremendous amount ... On trade, the European Union’s taken, really, they have really taken advantage of us for a long time.”

Trump said he backed away from the planned strikes about 30 minutes before the planes were ready to leave after learning 150 people would be killed. “I didn’t like it. I didn’t think it was, I didn’t think it was proportionate.”