President Trump said he had authorized Sen. Rand Paul to speak with Iranian officials — a day after denying he had done so — but downplayed the significance of the outreach to Iran as tensions skyrocketed in the Persian Gulf
"Rand asked me if he could get involved. I said yes," Trump told reporters at the White House, referring to the Kentucky Republican known for arguing strenuously that the US should pull back from foreign engagements and conflicts. The President added,"I have many people involved," and though he didn't elaborate, he said he was eager to resolve the ongoing crisis with Tehran. Trump spoke as Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps appeared to seize two tankers on Friday.
On GPS: What did Iran make of Pompeo's demands? 00:30In another example of the administration's mixed messaging, even as Trump admitted to giving Paul the green light, unnamed officials argued that privately the President has adopted a more hawkish tone recently, as tensions increased in the Persian Gulf.
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