Trump news: President responds to Iran seizing British ship, as he announces he spoke with Kanye West about A$AP Rocky
Amid increasing backlash over his racist comments about US congresswomen
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Donald Trump has responded to the Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard seizing at least one British oil tanker.
After saying he was in talks with the UK, Mr Trump - who pulled America out of the Iran Nuclear Deal last year - said: "This only goes to show what I'm saying about Iran. Trouble. Nothing but trouble."
The events come a day after Donald Trump said the US Navy "destroyed" an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim Iran denied.
In the midst of the international tensions, which have escalated since Iran shot down a US drone in June, the president posted a tweet about his efforts to release imprisoned rapper A$AP Rocky.
The American star is currently in a Swedish prison while police finish their investigation into a fight that took place in downtown Stockholm.
Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures
Show all 17“Just spoke to Kanye West about his friend A$AP Rocky's incarceration”, Mr Trump posted online. “I will be calling the very talented Prime Minister of Sweden to see what we can do about helping A$AP Rocky. So many people would like to see this quickly resolved!”
Earlier in the day, the feud between Donald Trump and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar raged on.
The president has faced increasing criticism over his racist attacks of the Somali-born Democrat.
Despite saying he disapproved of the “send her back” chants at a North Carolina rally, Donald Trump today praised the rally attendees as "incredible patriots," and said Representative Omar is “a disgrace to our country.”
The latest political figure to defend the freshman representative is Angela Merkel.
The German Chancellor said Mr Trump's racist comments about Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib undermine America's strength" and that she stands in "solidarity" with the congresswomen.
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On Friday, Iran said it had seized a "British-flagged oil tanker" in the Gulf.
The incident comes as tensions between Iran and the US increase.
Earlier today, President Trump insisted the US military had downed an Iranian drone, despite denials from Tehran.
While speaking to reporters, the president also warned Iran against doing anything "foolish".
When asked if he was concerned about a potential clash with Iran, Mr Trump said: "Not at all. We have the greatest ships, the most deadly ships, we don't want to have to use them, but they're the most deadly ships ever conceived."
Just one day after the president attempted to distance himself from racist chants of "send her back" at his rally in North Carolina on Wednesday night, he has now defended participants.
Speaking at the Oval Office Friday, Mr Trump defended the attack on Ilhan Omar, saying: "Those people in North Carolina, that stadium was packed. It was a record crowd and I could've filled it 10 times, as you know.
"Those are incredible people, those are incredible patriots."
The president also said he was not happy that the US Congresswoman had promised to be his "nightmare".
"She's lucky to be where she is, let me tell you," Mr Trump told reporters. "And the things she has said are a disgrace to our country."
It has been reported Iran has seized a second oil tanker, prompting the president to tell reporters the US will work with Britain on the seized vessels.
For more information, you can follow our liveblog below.
On Friday, the president also confirmed reports that his administration is working to release A$AP Rocky after the rapper was arrested in Sweden for alleged assault earlier this month.
According to the president, his wife Melania was the first one to inform him of the rapper's arrest, but "many, many members of the African-American community have called me, friends of mine, and said, 'could you help.'"
Amid concerns over the situation in the Gulf, the president took a moment Friday to tweet that he had spoken to rapper Kanye West about A$AP Rocky's incarceration.
The president said he would be calling the "very talented" Prime Minister of Sweden, Kjell Stefan Löfven.
The president's priorities have been questioned since he tweeted about his plans for helping to secure the release of A$AP Rocky as it was reported Iran was seizing ships.
Earlier in the day, President Trump confirmed that Senator Rand Paul is involved in diplomatic talks with Iran, a country Mr Trump said is "nothing but trouble".
"Rand asked me if he could get involved. The answer is yes," the president said, while speaking to reporters.
On Thursday, Mr Trump had said he "didn't appoint" Rand to participate in negotiations with Iran.
For the latest on Iran and the situation in the Persian Gulf, you can read more below.
On Friday, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt reportedly told Sky News there will be "consequences" if Iran does not return control of the British-flagged oil tanker.
Earlier in the day, Mr Hunt said he was "extremely concerned by the seizure of two vessels by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz".
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