US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he does not foresee war with Tehran, after he warned that Tehran would “pay a very big price” over attack by Iraqi protesters, angered by US strikes on Hashd Shaabi fighters, on Washington’s mission in Baghdad.

“I don’t see that happening,” Trump said at his holiday retreat in Florida when a reporter asked about the possibility of war with the Islamic republic.

“I like peace,” the president said before heading in to New Year’s celebrations.

Angered by US air strikes that killed two dozen Iraq’s Kata’ib Hezbollah fighters on Sunday, hundreds of protesters spilled through checkpoints in the high-security Green Zone Tuesday, demanding the removal of American troops from Iraq.

Trump blamed Tehran for the embassy attack and warned that it would face punishment if Americans are killed.

“Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities,” Trump said on Twitter.

“They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat,” wrote Trump, adding “Happy New Year!”

Source: Agencies