U.S. President Donald Trump assured today that Washington will respond if the Houthis, the Iran-backed Yemeni rebels, attempt to block the free movement of commercial ships in the Red Sea, and, commenting on a report that Iran has transported enriched uranium to Mount Pikaas, said that the U.S. will likely strike that area very soon.

“So far, nothing like that has happened. It could happen, but we’ll take care of it. If something like that happens, we’ll take care of it. You know, we did that with the Houthis in the past, and we haven’t heard them mentioned here for quite some time,” said the U.S. president while welcoming Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House.

When asked about a Wall Street Journal report according to which Iran has moved its nuclear material to a site in the Natanz area known as Pickaxe Mountain, more widely known as Iran’s “nuclear fortress,”

“I believe they may have done so. We haven’t officially confirmed it,” Trump said, adding: “That means nothing unless they have the material. We will likely strike that area very soon, and there is absolutely nothing they can do about it.”

Referring to Iran, Trump reiterated once again that the Iranian leadership is desperate for a meeting to negotiate. “They’re desperately asking to meet with us because they’ve been weakened militarily. Since they have nothing substantial to say to us, we’re not interested in such a prospect,” the U.S. president pointed out.

“They managed to pull something off”

Trump also referred to the recent Iranian attack with missiles and drones against U.S. forces in Jordan, which left two dead, noting that “they managed to… get something through in Jordan.”

“If we had different operators, this wouldn’t have happened, unfortunately,” he said, without specifying who he was referring to when he spoke of “different operators.”

It should be noted that the U.S. Army announced last week that two members of the armed forces were killed, while four more service members had to be airlifted for medical treatment, following an attack involving missiles and drones attributed to Iran that took place in Jordan.

“I will do what is right”

Trump also claimed that Iran is attempting to influence the political climate in the U.S., using threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz as a means of pressure ahead of the November midterm elections.

Speaking about developments in the Middle East, the U.S. president assessed that Tehran is “most likely” trying to reduce the chances of electoral success for both himself and the Republican Party.

Despite his claims of political motives on Iran’s part, Trump appeared unyielding, maintaining that his decisions are not dictated by the electoral climate.

“I will do what is right,” he said emphatically.

At the same time, he emphasized that he does not think about the election when making decisions regarding the conflict with Iran.

“I cannot think about the elections in relation to this war. I believe the public has been impressed,” he said.

Source: Protothema.gr