SHAFAQNA- U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized that he wants to maintain a military presence in Iraq in order to “watch” Iran.
Trump’s decision to draw down military forces in the Middle East has been met with fierce criticism, and helped prompt the departure of James Mattis as Defense Secretary. But in an interview with CBS, the president suggested the U.S. would at least maintain a presence to keep an eye on Tehran.
“I want to be able to watch Iran … all I want to do is be able to watch,” Trump told CBS‘ “Face the Nation” adding that he was not planning a military strike on Iran.
“This is what a lot of people don’t understand. We’re going to keep watching and we’re going to keep seeing and if there’s trouble”, cnbc reported.
He claimed if somebody is looking to do nuclear weapons or other things, we’re going to know it before they do,” he added.
Trump then explained that since the United States has spent a “fortune” on the Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq, which he made a surprise visit to in December, the U.S. will hold on to it.
“We have an unbelievable and expensive military base built in Iraq. It’s perfectly situated for looking at all over different parts of the troubled Middle East rather than pulling up,” he said.
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