Trump Calls Iran War A ‘Little Excursion That Will Keep Us Out of A War’ In Bizarre Comment

While speaking to reporters in Ohio, on Wednesday, President Donald Trump told reporters that the war in Iran involving the United States and Israel is “both” a “little excursion” for the U.S. and a “war” for Iran.

The comment came after Trump had already referred to the Iran fighting as a “little excursion,” while speaking to Republican lawmakers at his golf club in Doral, Florida on March 9. There, he said, “We took a little excursion because we felt we had to do that to get rid of some evil,” adding that he believed it would be a “short-term excursion.”

While visiting a site belonging to the Thermo Fisher Scientific company in Reading, Ohio, Trump took the opportunity to speak with reporters and praised the U.S. military for its work in Iran, again using the word “excursion” to refer to the conflict. Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked the president “You just said it is a ‘little excursion’ and you said it is a war, so which one is it?”

Trump replied, “Well, it’s both. It’s an excursion that will keep us out of a war. For them it’s a war, for us it turned out to be easier than we thought.” The president also pointed out that Iran had “thousands of missiles” that he claims were destroyed before they were able to launch.

The Trump administration’s rhetoric regarding the progress of the conflict in the Middle East has been mixed. On one hand, Trump has tried to project speed, control and limited exposure, suggesting the U.S. has moved far faster than expected. Trump said the war was “very complete, pretty much,” while also saying U.S. operations had badly damaged Iran’s navy, communications systems and air force. On the other hand, Trump has not described the fighting as finished. On March 1, he said combat operations would continue until all U.S. objectives were achieved.

Reuters reported that lawmakers from both parties have voiced concern about the possibility of deeper U.S. involvement, including fears that the conflict could expand further and eventually require more direct American military commitment. At the same time, global energy markets have reacted violently to the turmoil, with oil prices surging as investors watch for any threat to supply routes in the Middle East.

Trump has largely tried to downplay those economic risks. According to Reuters, he traveled to Kentucky on March 11 to pivot back to domestic economic messaging even as the Iran war entered its 12th day. Trump told Axios there was “practically nothing left” to target in Iran and claimed, “Any time I want it to end, it will end,” signaling that he still wants the public to see the conflict as manageable and nearing a conclusion.