It is unclear if the president is calling to impose sanctions on Pakistan or if he is suggesting other actions for the federal government to take. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo Trump starts 2018 with tweets criticizing Pakistan, Iran and former U.S. leaders

President Donald Trump kicked off the New Year with tweets blasting Pakistan, Iran and former U.S. presidents, writing that the United States has “foolishly” given billions of dollars in aid to Pakistan and that Iran is “failing.”

“The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years and they have given us nothing in return but lies & deceit, thinking our leaders as fools,” the president wrote on Twitter. “They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!”


Khawaja M. Asif, Pakistan’s foreign minister, tweeted Monday morning that Pakistan will respond to Trump’s criticism.

“Will let the world know the truth ... difference between facts & fiction,” he said.

It is unclear if the president is calling to impose sanctions on Pakistan or if he is suggesting other actions for the federal government to take. But he has put the country “on notice.” Last summer, Trump also said he is escalating the fight in Afghanistan by increasing troop levels.

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The president also tweeted Monday morning that Iran “is failing at every level” amid a wave of protests over the government’s weak economy.

“Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration,” Trump tweeted. “The great Iranian people have been repressed for many year. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!”

His Iran tweet followed one from Sunday, where he wrote: "The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism," the president wrote on Twitter. "Looks like they will not take it any longer."

At least 12 people have been killed and hundreds have been arrested in the demonstrations in Iran, which began Thursday.