Washington:US President Donald Trump expressed on Tuesday that he is "not looking to kill lots of people" in Iran following the midterm elections, though he emphasized that decisive action would be taken if necessary.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Trump made these remarks during an interview with Fox News amid discussions about potential US military strikes on Iran following the elections. He noted that American forces had conducted a strike on a newly completed Iranian anti-aircraft installation, describing the action as a "minor attack" and asserting that it wasn't a declaration of war.

The report also mentioned that, according to a US official, the US military had executed "defensive" strikes against Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday. Trump differentiated the ongoing confrontation with Iran from traditional wars, such as those involving Russia and Ukraine or World War II, claiming that the US has complete leverage over Iran after severely impairing its naval and air capabilities.

Trump further stated that the US could either "finish them off" or choose a more lenient approach that would save thousands of lives that might otherwise be lost in a war.