Trump says US may have to “hit Iran with a hammer”

US President Donald Trump made notable remarks on foreign policy and relations within his administration while speaking at campaign rallies in Iowa and Kansas ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that, addressing tensions with Tehran at a rally in Iowa, Trump said the only reason he had not yet resolved the issue with Iran was that he wanted to “be a good person.”

“I’m trying to save the lives of the people there. But at some point, we’re going to have to hit them with a hammer,” the US president said. Trump also claimed that most of Iran’s military aircraft and ships had already been destroyed.

Trump also spoke about relations with Beijing: “Some people say, ‘China is watching us.’ I said, ‘Yes, we’re watching them, too.’”

In remarks in Kansas, Trump addressed the growing public popularity of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The president jokingly said he was unhappy about the situation.

Reacting ironically to the secretary of state’s rising ratings, Trump said: “If you get any more popular, I’m going to say, ‘You’re fired!’” drawing laughter from his supporters.