Trump: US has ‘massive fleet’ heading to Iran, hopefully we won’t need to use it

US President Donald Trump confirms that a “massive fleet” of US military vessels is heading toward Iran, while reiterating his hope they won’t have to use force.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump again claims that Iran scrapped plans to execute 837 protesters in response to his threats on the matter. “They said that they canceled it. They didn’t postpone it.”

“We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it,” he says, adding that he’s watching developments in the Islamic Republic “very closely.”

Trump is asked whether he plans to stay on as chairman of the Board of Peace after his term in office ends, as the body’s charter allows.

“I have the right to be if I want… We’ll see what happens,” he responds. “It’s in theory for life, but I’m not sure I want that.”

“It’s going to do great work with Gaza, and maybe other things,” he says, reiterating that the Board of Peace will work with the United Nations amid concern that the US is aiming to use the body to usurp the UN.

Trump says some countries, such as Russia, have already offered to contribute over $1 billion to the Board of Peace. That figure is also the cost to become a permanent member of Trump’s panel.

He acknowledges that some countries aren’t interested, amid a vocal pushback from the UK and France. However, he says others — like Italy and Poland — have told him they’d like to join, but need to get approval from their parliaments.

Asked about the bruising on his hand, Trump says he “clipped it” on a table and that the aspirin he is taking causes the discoloration. He’s been spotted repeatedly throughout the past year with such bruising.