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Beirut blast: Trump's 'bomb' claim contradicted as defense officials say no indication of an attack yet

The President said his military officials told him that the blast appeared to be an 'attack'

President Donald Trump has found himself at odds with his own defense officials over the massive explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday, August 4, leaving several dead and injured. While the president said it was an “attack”, defense department officials said later in the day that there was no indication yet that it was an attack, CNN reported. Trump, while speaking with the media at the White House, claimed that his military officials told him that the explosion appeared to be an “attack” though he did not explain on what grounds did they arrive at such a conclusion. At least 100 people have died and more than 4,000 were were injured, Lebanon's state-run media reported, citing the Red Cross.
 
“According to them – they would know better than I would – but they seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind,” the president, who is known for uttering words that are inconsistent with his own administration, said. The horrific blast took place following a fire that broke out in the port area of the Lebanese capital, as understood from several videos emerging from the scene. 

The blast followed a fire that broke out in the city's port area, based on multiple videos from the scene. Trump expressed solidarity with the people of Lebanon, the USA’s relations with which have come under some strain in his time. “Let me begin by sending America's deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon, where reports indicate that many, many people were killed, hundreds more were very badly wounded in a large explosion in Beirut. Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. The United States ready to assist Lebanon,” the president said. 

Trump's military officials clueless about his claim

But his defense aides said on the condition of anonymity that they were not sure about what Trump was talking about. CNN cited one official who said that if there were indications that somebody had carried out an attack of this scale, it would lead to an automatic rise in force protection for America’s troops and assets in the region -- one of the most volatile in the world. The official said nothing of that sort has been witnessed so far. 

There were also contradictory reports on what caused the blast. It was initially reported that an estimated stock of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate kept in a warehouse in the Port of Beirut exploded, leaving massive trails of destruction in the city. The chief of the general security directorate said the blast was caused by confiscated “high explosive materials” but did not provide any more details. 

Even the officials in Lebanon were not happy with Trump’s referring to the explosion as an attack. Two state department officials told CNN 
that Lebanese officials raised concerns with the US’ diplomatic fraternity about the use of the word “attack” by the president after he made his remarks on Tuesday. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Lebanese government is conducting a probe into the cause of the blast and Washington was looking forward to see its outcome.