Trump backs down from striking Iran after being ‘cocked and loaded’
Protesters hold signs spelling out, "No War," outside the White House last night
US President Donald Trump backed down after being saying that the military was “cocked and loaded” for a strike against Iran after it shot down a spy drone today.
Iranian authorities said they received a message from the bellicose Mr Trump via Oman about an imminent attack late last night, issuing an ultimatum to get round the table for talks.
Mr Trump apparently insisted that he was “against any war with Iran and wanted to talk to Tehran” as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
Similar stories
RAMZY BAROUD and ROMANA RUBEO analyse how the US has consistently negotiated in bad faith to secure the element of surprise in military attack
Tehran retaliates with attacks on Israel, the Gulf Arab states and crude oil flows