Trump says there’s ‘a chance’ US takes military action against Iran

President Trump said Wednesday that there is “a chance” the U.S. military will take action against Iran, after a series of escalations between the two countries in recent weeks. 

Trump made the comments on “Good Morning Britain” to co-host Piers Morgan, who asked the president whether he was considering military action against Tehran.

“There is always a chance. Do I want to? No, I’d rather not. But there’s always a chance,” Trump said. “I’d much rather talk,” he added.{mosads}

Trump told Morgan, whom he considers a friend, that having control of U.S. nuclear weapons is a “terrible responsibility,” but said he is prepared to handle it. 

Tensions have ratcheted up between Washington and Tehran since last month when the Trump administration deployed a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East, citing “troubling and escalatory indications and warnings” from Iran that have yet to be publicly identified.

Trump announced last month that he would deploy roughly 1,500 troops to the Middle East to counter Iran’s influence there. The president said late last month that he’s not looking for regime change, despite increasing strain.

The president had threatened previously that war would be “the official end of Iran.”