International worries flare that U.S. sliding toward Iran war

WASHINGTON >> International worries flared into the open Tuesday that the Trump administration is sliding toward war with Tehran amid skepticism about its claims that Iran poses a growing threat to the U.S. and its allies in the Persian Gulf and beyond.

The U.S. military rebutted the doubts about such a threat, and President Donald Trump denied a report that the administration has updated plans to send more than 100,000 troops to counter Iran if necessary. But Trump then stirred the controversy further by saying, “Would I do that? Absolutely.”

The day of turmoil was set in motion when a British general contradicted the administration’s claim of a rising Iranian threat in the region.

“No, there’s been no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria,” said Maj. Gen. Chris Ghika, a senior officer in the U.S.backed coalition fighting the Islamic State group.