Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Jun 8: US President Donald Trump has denied ever promising to keep the United States out of foreign wars, defending his administration's military actions in Iran during a television interview that ended amid a heated exchange over election-related claims.

In an interview with NBC's Meet the Press host Kristen Welker, Trump rejected suggestions that he had campaigned on a pledge to avoid overseas conflicts.

“I didn’t guarantee no war. Why would I have built the strongest military in the world?” Trump said while discussing the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran.

Referring to the conflict, he added, “I don’t like these endless wars. This is not an endless war. We’ve been doing this for three months.”

Trump's remarks contrast with several statements made during the 2024 presidential campaign, when he repeatedly promised not to involve the United States in new wars. During his election victory speech, he had declared, “I’m not going to start a war. I’m going to stop wars.”

The president also defended a proposed compensation fund intended to assist supporters who claim they were unfairly targeted by the previous administration. Although his legal team has indicated that the proposal is unlikely to move forward, Trump said he continued to support the idea.

“If they get it approved, that’s great. If they don’t get it approved, I’d be disappointed,” he said, referring to congressional Republicans.

The interview became increasingly tense when Welker repeatedly questioned Trump about his claims that recent elections in California were rigged. Trump maintained that electoral irregularities existed but did not provide evidence to support the allegations.

The US president is facing growing domestic pressure over the conflict with Iran, which has now entered its fourth month. Critics have raised concerns about the financial burden of the war, rising fuel prices and the absence of congressional approval before military action began.

According to reports, the cost of the conflict reached approximately $29 billion by May, prompting increased scrutiny from lawmakers and voters.

Trump has also faced criticism over his focus on domestic construction projects, including a proposal seeking congressional approval for $1 billion to fund a new ballroom at the White House.

During the interview, Trump reiterated his recent promise that fuel prices would fall once the conflict ends.

“It’s all coming down as soon as the war’s over,” he said.

However, he offered few details when questioned about ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran. While expressing optimism about negotiations, Trump described Iranian negotiators as “very smart” and “more rational.”

Despite repeatedly suggesting that the conflict is nearing its conclusion, Trump declined to commit to reducing the approximately 50,000 US troops currently stationed in the Middle East.

“It costs us very little to keep them there,” he said. “I think we’ll keep them there until such time as we have a completion.”

The president also avoided providing specifics on how the United States would secure or remove Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which Washington says could potentially be used in a nuclear weapons programme.

Expressing frustration over criticism of his handling of the conflict, Trump argued that the war had lasted only a few months compared to other prolonged military engagements.

“Listen, Kristen, we’re there for a few months. And the threat is largely over. Soon, it will be over,” he said.