Iran will be ‘totally wiped out as a country’ if it retaliates for US strikes, Trump says

US President Donald Trump said that Iran will be “totally wiped out as a country” if Tehran retaliates for renewed US strikes on Tuesday, during a phone call with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst.

“If they do respond, they’ll be hit much harder,” Trump told Yingst. “This is a very big hit today. If it goes a third time, they’re going to be totally wiped out as a country.”

Tuesday’s strikes marked the second instance of American military actions against Iran after a week-long lull in hostilities.

In regard to seeking further peace-making opportunities with Tehran, Trump asserted that he “gave them a lot of chances” and believes “an agreement with them isn't worth the paper it's written on.”