Trump's remarks on Iran possibly targeting US cities: from controversy to clarification

⏱️ Timeline

1. 6 Oct 2026, 15:37 During an election rally in Nebraska, US President Donald Trump hinted that Iran could "destroy" major American cities such as Los Angeles or San Diego, describing that as a "small price", about a month before the midterm elections. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the comments.
2. 8 Oct 2026, 08:37 US President Donald Trump offered a clarification of his controversial remarks about Iran's ability to destroy American cities.
3. 8 Oct 2026, 09:44 During an election rally in San Antonio, Texas, US President Donald Trump repeated his remarks about the possibility of Iran targeting Los Angeles and San Diego, after having ignored the previous day a question from a female reporter at the White House who asked him for clarification. Trump had said at an earlier rally in Nebraska that targeting American cities represents a "small price" that must be paid in exchange for preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, which drew wide criticism from Democrats and officials.
4. 8 Oct 2026, 23:02 US President Donald Trump denied that he had called on Iran to bomb San Diego or Los Angeles, stressing that his remarks were taken out of context and that he was drawing a comparison between rising fuel prices and the cost of Iran possessing a nuclear weapon. He explained that high gasoline prices are temporary and a "small price" in exchange for preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons, after clipped excerpts of his remarks sparked criticism inside the United States.

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