Trump to Iran: Let’s ‘make a real deal’

In an about-face from his recent tweets, Trump tempered his Iran rhetoric, claiming he’s ready for a new deal with the Islamic Republic.

By: AP

President Donald Trump tempered his threatening rhetoric toward Iran Tuesday, two days after he sent an all-caps warning of future conflict.

Addressing the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Trump took credit for pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear accord, but said his administration stands ready for Iran to come back to the negotiating table.

“We’re ready to make a real deal, not the deal that was done by the previous administration, which was a disaster,” he said.

While U.S. intelligence agencies maintained that Iran complied with the Obama-era agreement to halt its nuclear program, Trump maintained that the deal didn’t actually curb Iran’s malign influence in the region, including its funding of a number of terror proxies and its development of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Trump also highlighted part of his agreement with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un last month to transfer some remains of Americans killed during the Korean war back to the U.S. as an example of his support for the nation’s veterans as his new VA secretary begins his work.

Speaking in Kansas City, he emphasized efforts to help more veterans see private doctors, known as the “Choice” program. He said he made the trip “to pay tribute to men and women who make freedom possible.”

“Veterans Choice has been passed,” Trump announced to applause, promising it would reduce wait-times for medical care.

Robert Wilkie, the new secretary of Veterans Affairs, has insisted that he won’t privatize the VA despite concerns raised by Democrats. Wilkie accompanied Trump to Kansas City.

Trump noted that Wilkie was confirmed Monday by an 86-9 vote, joking that the Democratic lawmakers voting now are the “Super lefts who are running against me in 2.5 years.”