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Trump condemns Iran protest crackdown, stays mum on Oman, French mediation efforts

President Donald Trump, responding to a reporter’s question in London, said the United States does not support the protesters in Iran before he later clarified his answer and castigated the Iranian government.
U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo talk during a meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (not pictured), ahead of the NATO summit in Watford, in London, Britain, December 3, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC2SND9G88LE

President Donald Trump created confusion today when, responding to a reporter’s question in London, he said the United States does not support the protesters in Iran, before later clarifying his answer. His comments on the Iranian unrest come as he met with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has spearheaded a mediation effort to try to get Iran and the United States back to the negotiating table, and as Oman’s foreign minister met with Iranian officials after holding discussions in Washington last week.

“You mentioned earlier the Iran protests,” an American reporter asked Trump when he and Macron took press questions following their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the NATO leaders’ meeting in London today. “Does the United States support the protesters in Iran?"

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