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Trump Says US Bracing for 'Absolute Worst' With Iran

Jeff Seldin

   VOA White House Bureau Chief Steve Herman contributed to this report.
   WASHINGTON -- The United States and Iran pushed full steam ahead, each
   country launching a new round of verbal volleys, as military tensions
   between Tehran and the West rose to new heights Monday.

   U.S. President Donald Trump did his part to ramp up the rhetoric,
   telling reporters at the White House that Washington was ready for "the
   absolute worst" from Iran.

   "They are really the number one state of terror in the world," Trump
   said during a photo-op with Pakistani President Imran Khan in the Oval
   Office Monday.

   Trump added Iran's actions and lack of respect were making it more
   difficult for him to negotiate with Tehran.

   "They shouldn't have done that," he said. "It could go either way."

   The U.S. president's comments came hours after Iran did its part to
   further stoke tensions with the West, announcing it had captured 17
   U.S. spies and sentenced some of them to death.

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