White House statement on Trump's visit to Turkey

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made statements regarding US President Donald Trump's visit to Turkey as part of the recent NATO Summit. Leavitt expressed that Trump was pleased with his contacts in Turkey and his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Responding to journalists' questions at the daily press briefing, Leavitt evaluated Trump's contacts in Turkey upon a question from an Anadolu Agency reporter. Leavitt said, "I know the President was very pleased with his visit to Turkey."

Stating that Trump was also pleased with the positive response from member countries to his encouragement for NATO allies to increase defense spending for collective defense, Leavitt added, "He (Trump) was also very pleased with the meeting he held with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkey and values the bilateral relationship between the two countries."

IRAN STATEMENT ALSO ON THE AGENDA

Leavitt also spoke about developments in the Middle East and US policy toward Iran during the meeting. Stating that Iran continues to talk with the US following the mutual attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, Leavitt said that Tehran has expressed a desire to reach an agreement.

Touching upon the US's recent attacks on Iran, Leavitt argued that the justification was Iran's violation of the memorandum of understanding it signed with the US. Leavitt claimed that commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz should not be fired upon, but that this had occurred.

The White House Press Secretary also stated that Trump would not stand by while Iran carries out such "active acts of terror" in the Strait of Hormuz.

News Source: 12punto