Trump slams reporter's 'crazy question' on US troops in Iran

President Donald Trump lashed out at a reporter's 'crazy' question about whether the US is intent on sending ground troops into Iran as the White House negotiates with Iranian officials. Thousands of US Marines were deployed over the last week to the Middle East. At least two Marine units, comprised of over 4,000 Marines aboard the USS Tripoli and USS Boxer, are heading toward Iran. Pressed on whether US troops will soon have boots on the ground in Iran on Monday morning before boarding Air Force One, the President recoiled and slammed the reporter.

'It's been reported that there are Marines [who] left California , left San Diego last week, at the end of the week. Why are they headed there now?' the reporter asked. Trump immediately shot back: 'Well, let me ask you this. If you were in my position and I asked you that question, do you really believe I'd give you that? It's a crazy question.' The President has repeatedly refused to answer media questions about upcoming military actions in the war, saying that if he did, the operational security of the plans would be compromised.

He also shared that the US has begun negotiations with Iranian officials to end the war - a claim that the Islamic Republic has refuted. If those talks go sideways and Iran doesn't cooperate, Trump said US forces will keep 'bombing our little hearts out.' The President said Monday morning in a social media post that the US will hold off on striking Iranian energy infrastructure as the two countries look to strike a deal.

Within the hour, Iranian officials swatted down those claims, saying the President and his team were not in contact with their officials. Later in the morning, Trump doubled down. 'I didn't call, they called; they want to make a deal.' Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in talks with Iranian officials on Sunday, the President said.

'We have had very, very strong talks. We'll see where they lead. We have major points of agreement... They went, I would say, perfectly. I would say that if they carry through with that, it'll end that problem, that conflict.' The US is demanding in the negotiations that Iran give up its ambitions to create a nuclear weapon. 'We want to see no nuclear bomb, no nuclear weapon — not even close to it — low key on the missiles, we want to see peace in the Middle East. We want the nuclear dust... I think we're going to get that.'

The President added that Iran had agreed 'not have nuclear weapons any more,' though there has not been reporting indicating they have actually created one. However, the administration has yet to get in contact with the country's new ayatollah, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the former leader who was reportedly injured in US strikes. 'We have not heard from the son,' Trump told reporters.