President Donald Trump on Friday described a six-month military conflict with Iran as "small potatoes." The characterization is the latest instance of Trump seeking to downplay the scope of the clash.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of 18 American service members and hundreds of injuries, according to reporting. It has also contributed to a spike in global oil prices.
Trump said in his statement that many people do not characterize the confrontation as a war, but he labeled it a "military conflict" precisely because it was "small potatoes."
