US Media: Summarizing key remarks from Trump's press conference — "The Iranian people want us to bomb them" "Iran's oil should belong to the victor of war"

CNN's official website reported on April 6 local time: At Monday's press briefing, President Trump stated that Iran could be "destroyed" in a single night, and that that night "might" be Tuesday evening.

"The entire country could be destroyed in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night," the president said.

It was also reported that President Trump said on Monday that the government is investigating the "leaker" behind the earliest reports of an Air Force officer missing after an Iranian fighter jet was shot down. Trump also threatened that journalists who refuse to reveal their sources about the missing pilot could face imprisonment.

The report said that during the press conference, Trump detailed two separate rescue operations for crew members whose aircraft was shot down over Iran, stating: "This became a more difficult operation because of the leak. We are working very hard to trace that leaker." He continued, "If he doesn't expose this person (referring to the journalist — translator’s note), then he will go to jail."

Additionally, it was reported that President Trump claimed on Monday that if the Iranian people ultimately gain freedom, they would be "willing to suffer" attacks on civilian energy and infrastructure that he has threatened.

When specifically asked whether striking these targets inside Iran would punish civilians, Trump replied: "It's painful. But for freedom, they are willing to endure this pain." The president also argued that the Iranian people actually want U.S. forces to continue bombing.

"We’ve received countless intercepted messages saying, 'Please keep bombing,' 'The bombs land near our homes,' 'Keep bombing, just do it' — and these people live right where the bombs explode. When we leave and stop bombing those areas, they say, 'Come back, come back, come back.'"

Trump claimed, "I can only tell you that they want freedom. They live in a world you know nothing about — a violent, terrifying world."

It was also reported that at Monday’s press conference, President Trump stated that Iran could be a "positive, voluntary participant" in negotiations aimed at ending the war.

"I can’t discuss a ceasefire, but I can tell you that on the other side, we have a positive, willing participant. They want to reach an agreement. I can’t say more," the president said.

The report said Trump also told reporters that talks with mediators to end the conflict were "going smoothly." "Basically, they’ll finalize it by 8 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow night (i.e., 8 a.m. Wednesday Beijing time — translator’s note), but we’re still negotiating with them. I think things are going well. Mr. Witkoff is here, and Vance is involved in the talks. Mr. Witkoff is sitting right here — I think everything is going smoothly, but we’ll see how it unfolds," he said.

However, Trump stated he would not confirm whether the war with Iran was coming to an end. When asked whether he was easing or escalating pressure in the war, he responded: "I can’t tell you — it depends on what they do. This is a critical moment."

Trump said the U.S. had drawn up a plan under which every bridge and power plant in Iran could be destroyed by midnight tomorrow. "I mean completely destroyed before 12 o’clock. We could do it within four hours if we wanted to, but we don’t want to," Trump said.

He then discussed the deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. "They have a window — well, until 8 a.m. tomorrow. I gave them an extension," he said. "Originally setting Monday as the deadline wasn’t appropriate on Easter Monday; I wanted to be a good guy."

It was also reported that President Trump said it should be the United States, not Iran, that charges fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

"How about we charge the fees?" he said. "I’d rather do that than let them charge." Trump stated he believed the U.S. should collect tolls because the U.S. achieved military success in the current conflict.

"Why shouldn’t we? We’re the winners," he said. "We won, okay? They were defeated militarily."

Trump also said reopening the Strait of Hormuz must be part of the proposal to end the war with Iran. "We must reach a deal acceptable to me, and part of that deal must ensure free passage of oil and all supplies."

The president also acknowledged that reopening the Strait of Hormuz differs from other objectives as the negotiation team works to end the war with Iran. Previously, Trump had dismissed a 45-day ceasefire proposal from other countries as "not good enough," since that truce was seen as the final effort to avoid large-scale strikes on Iran’s power plants and other infrastructure. Trump had previously threatened massive strikes on those facilities if the Strait remained blocked.

The report said when CNN asked whether he would accept a deal that didn’t include opening the strait, or whether opening the strait was now a top priority, Trump replied: "I’d say this is a very high priority." He also expressed uncertainty about whether Tehran still had the capability to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

It was also reported that President Trump shared some views on how he would control Iran’s and Venezuela’s oil, stating his desire to seize Iran’s oil: "To the winner belong the spoils."

"If I had a choice, yes — because first and foremost, I’m a businessman," Trump told reporters during the press conference on the U.S.-Iran war, when asked to clarify comments about seizing Iran’s oil. He admitted such actions could carry political risks.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861760199815307/

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