Secretary of Defense Mark Esper gave a statement at the Pentagon this afternoon in which he reiterated that the United States is not seeking war with Iran. But, he notes, “we are prepared to finish one”:
Defense Sec. Mark Esper: "The United States is not seeking a war with Iran—but we are prepared to finish one." https://t.co/CtYYCaKEpg pic.twitter.com/1OIYG8MhjS
— ABC News (@ABC) January 7, 2020
I love how he looked dead in the camera when he said “but we are prepared to finish one.” Boom!
Esper goes on to say that while the US is seeking a diplomatic solution, it will require Iran to de-escalate and to come to the table with the goal of preventing more bloodshed.
Watch Esper’s full presser below:
In related news, Trump said today he won’t target Iran’s cultural sites if they retaliate:
Trump now says that he won't target cultural sights in Iran:
"If that's what the law is, I like to obey the law." pic.twitter.com/FER0sA3qPI
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 7, 2020