'Warships Head To Middle East': Trump Hopes To Avoid Military Action And Issues Warning To Iran

Washington: As warships head to Middle East, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he hopes to avoid war action against Iran and is ready to sit and talk with Tehran.

What exactly did Trump say?

While talking to reporters at the premiere of a documentary about First Lady Melania on Thursday, Donald Trump confirmed about the US warships presence in the region but also hinted at avoiding military action against Iran.

The US president said, "I built (up) the military in my first term, and now we have a group headed out to a place called Iran, and hopefully we won't have to use it."

When the reporters asked if he would have talks with Iran, Trump said, "We have a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now. And it would be great if we didn't have to use them."

Talking about what are his demands, the US President said that he has asked Iran two things, which are "no nuclear" and "stop killing protestors". 

"I told them two things; Number one no nuclear. And number two stop killing protesters.... They're going to have to do something," Trump said.

What did the US Defense Minister say?

During a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday, US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth clearly stated that Washington is in no mood for any leniency on this issue and expressed confidence in President Donald Trump's military policy.

Pete Hegseth said that Iran should not try to make nuclear weapons. He also added that if Tehran moves in this direction, America will not remain silent. According to him, whatever instructions are received from President Trump, the US Defense Department will implement them with full seriousness.

"When President Trump said, 'We're not getting a nuclear Iran,' he meant it," Hegseth said.