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President Donald Trump blamed the “fake news” media for wanting the United States to lose its war with Iran during an interview Monday with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, as he defended the military campaign and threatened another wave of strikes against Tehran.
Trump said Iran’s military had been reduced but continued to receive good news.
“All they do is talk and they have fake newspapers. They do very well with the press, but because fake news wants us to lose,” said Trump.
TRUMP HAS IRAN ON TAPES – AND THE CRITICS ARE NOT OVER HIS PASS
President Donald Trump blamed “fake news” for wanting America to lose its war with Iran during an interview with Hugh Hewitt. (Getty Images)
The president singled out the New York Times when he said the newspaper had recently reported that Iran was in a stronger position than it had been before the US-Israeli military campaign began.
“It’s not, I mean, I mean, The New York Times, they actually said last week – I can’t imagine what they said now, but think about it. They don’t have a Navy, they don’t have an Air Force, they don’t have anything. They don’t have a military, they don’t have anything,” Trump said.
He also pointed out what he described as inflation in Iran while continuing to criticize the Times.
TRUMP’S ‘ECONOMIC PROGRESS’ PRESSURES IRAN — BUT CAN TEHRAN PASS THE PRESSURE?
Trump criticized the New York Times for allegedly reporting that Iran is in better shape despite the destruction of its military capabilities. (AP/IDF photo)
“And the Times said, and inflation, by the way, just hit 301%, from 5%. They said, ‘Oh, they’re in better shape now than they were four months ago before I started,'” Trump said.
Trump did not identify the specific Times article or author he was referring to.
The president warned that an American attack was imminent following the exchange of missiles and drones between the two countries.
“We’re going to hit them hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow, and they can do nothing wrong about it,” Trump said.
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Trump has threatened more strikes against Iran and said the US could target the Pickaxe Mountain underground facility “very soon.” (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Trump floated around Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fenced underground facility near Iran’s damaged uranium enrichment facility.
“Pickaxe is a possible thing, you know, probably intended for a big fat gun near the front door,” he said.
The president said U.S. surveillance forces were monitoring the site and said Iran had not yet begun nuclear development there.
“We’re looking at it closely. We don’t see anything there. They’re not doing well with their nukes. Every time we hear about it, we blow it up, so they don’t want to talk about it, but we’ll probably give Pickaxe a shot soon,” said Trump.
Pickaxe Mountain contains two deeply buried tunnels that experts assess may be beyond the capabilities of surface-to-air bombs in the US arsenal, according to Reuters.
International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors had never been granted access to Pickaxe Mountain. Analysis of satellite imagery from late June showed vehicle activity near the site’s western entrances and possible construction or reinforcement work.
Trump also stated that Iran’s leaders cannot be trusted with nuclear weapons.
“And to be honest, if they had a nuclear weapon, they would use it in one day,” Trump said.
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Trump’s speech came as the US Central Command announced that it would resume blocking ships to and from Iranian ports on Tuesday. The military said aid would be allowed but warned that force could be used against vessels that fail to comply with the law.
