Donald Trump reportedly launched into a furious tirade about Jimmy Carter upon learning that two fighter jets had gone down in Iran.
After being briefed on two airmen who went missing when their fighter jet was shot down in Iran, Trump screamed at aides for hours, complaining that European allies were not providing assistance and that petrol prices had averaged above $4.00, according to the Wall Street Journal.
"Images of the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis-one of the biggest international policy failures of a presidency in recent times-had been looming large in his mind, people who have spoken to him said," the WSJ reported.
"If you look at what happened with Jimmy Carter...with the helicopters and the hostages, it cost them the election," Trump said back in March. "What a mess."
Trump was reportedly so out of control that aides were forced to ask him to leave the room so they could carry out their work.
While it may initially appear that the president was distressed over the missing servicemen, reports from the WSJ suggest his primary concern was the impact on his presidency.
With Trump removed from proceedings, aides were able to concentrate on the rescue mission, which ultimately saw both airmen safely returned to the U.S.
Trump confirmed the rescue on social media, hailing it as an "Easter miracle" and stating that both crew members were safely out of harm's way, despite challenging rescue conditions and the loss of US aircraft involved in the rescue attempt. Following the announcement that both men were safe, Trump shifted his focus to Iran, issuing threats via Truth Social.
Trump warned he would destroy Iran's power plants and bridges if the regime failed to reopen the strategic waterway by Tuesday, April 7.
In an expletive-laden post, he cautioned that Iran would be "living in Hell" and referred to the looming strikes as "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one."
Trump has accused Iran of a "total violation" of a subsequent ceasefire and has renewed threats to "knock out every single power plant" unless a fresh deal is reached.
Talks are reportedly due to resume in Pakistan.
