White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders laid the blame for rising tensions between the United States and Iran at the feet of the Islamic Republic during a Monday morning gaggle at the White House.
Sanders was asked whether Trump’s late-night Sunday tweet was inciting conflict with Iran.
To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2018
Trump was reacting to a warning from Iranian president Hassan Rouhani who said Sunday that “war with Iran is the mother of all wars.” He also addressed the president directly, saying, “Mr. Trump, don’t play with the lion’s tail. This would only lead to regret.”
Sanders explained, “The president’s responding to Iran and he’s not going to allow them to continue to make threats against America. If anybody is inciting anything, look no further than to Iran.”