Trump Says The Massive Explosions In Beirut Seem Like An Attack, But US Defense Officials Disagree

Contradicting Donald Trump's claim that the explosion in Beirut on Tuesday looked like a terrible attack, three U.S. Defense Department officials suggest no indications are suggesting the president's earlier remark holds water. Two massive explosions rocked Beirut's port, killing nearly 73 people and injuring thousands.

The U.S. Defense Department officials confirmed this to CNN. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at the White House, the president offered sympathy and assistance to the people of Lebanon following reports about the explosion, which killed several people and injured thousands, and dubbed it as a "terrible attack."

About 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that were kept in a warehouse in the Port of Beirut exploded, causing carnage throughout the Lebanese capital on Tuesday night. Trump started by sending America's deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon, noting that several people were killed while hundreds have been badly wounded in a large explosion.

The POTUS said America's prayers go out to the victims and their families, adding that the country is willing to assist Lebanon. Anonymous defense officials, however, said they had no idea what the president was talking about.

One official went on to say that if there were indications that the explosion was actually an attack of some sort, it would have triggered automatic increases in force protection for American troops and assets in the area. Noting that there would have been immediate action if that was the case citing concerns over retribution attacks, but none of that has happened so far, the official added.

A Pentagon spokesperson said the Department of Defense referred to requests for comments to the White House. The reports on what caused the explosion were conflicting, with earlier reports indicating it was caused by a fire at a firecracker warehouse located near the port.

director of the general security directorate later blamed the blast on confiscated high explosive materials, without divulging more details. Moreover,  Lebanese officials haven't deemed this incident as an attack, which is why Lebanese officials raised concerns with American diplomats about Trump using the word "attack" at this stage, two State Department officials told CNN.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Lebanese government is investigating the cause of the blast, and America is looking forward to what they find. The president during his briefing on Tuesday didn't hesitate to suggest that Beirut was a victim of an attack, adding that the country has a very good relationship with the people of Lebanon and it will be there to help them, NDTV reported.

Responding to a question about whether or not he was confident that the explosion was an attack and not an accident, Trump said it looked like it based on what U.S. military officials told him.