President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his administration does not have any sort of exit strategy in line for a potential war with Iran, telling reporters at the White House, "I don't do exit strategies."
As tensions with Iran hit a boiling point following Tehran's downing of a U.S. drone last week, Trump made clear that American will not become embroiled in another never-ending Middle Easter war.
"You're not going to need an exit strategy," Trump said in response to questions from reporters. "I don't do exit strategies."
While Iran has rejected any sort of diplomatic talks with the Trump administration until it halts its campaign of economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic’s ailing economy, Trump emphasized that he is ready for whatever comes.
Asked for his message to Iran, Trump said, "There is no message. You know what, I'll tell you what the message is: When they're ready ... let us know. When they're ready, they'll let us know."
"Ready to negotiate?" a reporter followed up.
"Ready to do whatever," Trump responded. "Doesn't make a difference. Whatever they want to do, I'm ready."
Iranian military leaders have continued to threaten U.S. ships and military assets in the Persian Gulf.
"The enemy knows that if it embarks on any mischief in the Persian Gulf, it will not remain safe and their failure will no more be confined to damages to equipment," Hossein Khanzadi, Iran’s Navy commander, said in remarks carried Tuesday in the country's state-controlled press.