US President Donald Trump has described Iranian protesters being “shot between the eyes” and repeated claims about U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during remarks at the White House on May 5, delivered in front of guests that included children, reporters and athletes.
Speaking in an informal setting, Trump gave what appeared to be a wide-ranging account of the conflict with Iran, while answering questions from the press and addressing invited guests, The Independent reports.
“They would have had a nuclear weapon,” the president told golfer Gary Player, flanked by several young children, with several more standing on the other side of the president. “And, remember, we sent that beautiful B-2 bomber in ... we blew up their nuclear potential. It was obliterated."
“Iran with a nuclear weapon...maybe we wouldn’t all be here right now,” he continued. “I can tell you, the Middle East would have been gone. Israel would have been gone. And they would have trained their sights on Europe, first, and then us.”
In another exchange with reporters, Trump was asked about the possibility of Iranian protesters toppling the government if armed by the United States. He responded by describing violent crackdowns on demonstrations.
“They don’t have any guns. You can have 200,000 people protesting and have five or six sick people with guns, and when they start shooting them right between the eyes, and you see a guy fall, and another one fall, and you have no guns.” Trump, surrounded by the kids, said.
He also made an unverified claim about casualties during unrest, saying:
“They killed 42,000 people last month. 42,000 unarmed protesters.”
By Sabina Mammadli
