White House: President "Did Not Call" Iran to Destroy Los Angeles and San Diego

Washington – Agencies: The White House denied that U.S. President Donald Trump called on Iran to destroy the American cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, in response to accusations leveled by Democrats. It clarified that Trump was warning of the threat Iran could pose if it acquired nuclear weapons. A widely circulated video clip showed remarks Trump made during an election rally in Nebraska on Monday ahead of the midterm elections, in which he said that the rise in oil prices resulting from a war with Iran was justified by the need to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Trump said, “Prices are a bit high. It’s a small price we pay to preserve the security of the world and our country.” He added, “They can destroy a city—let them destroy Los Angeles, let them destroy San Diego. That’s a very small price, and it will end very soon.” Democrats, who govern California, where Los Angeles and San Diego are located, accused the 80-year-old Republican president of encouraging Iran to strike the two cities. However, the White House stressed that Trump was speaking about the threat posed by Iran, describing the reactions as “media hysteria” and “not grounded in reality.”