Mattis says if N. Korea fires at U.S. it could 'escalate into war'
WASHINGTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday that if North Korea was to fire a missile at the United States, the situation could escalate into war.
"If they fire at the United States, it could escalate into war very quickly," Mattis told reporters.
Mattis said the United States would know the trajectory of a North Korean missile "within moments" and if a missile is assessed to be hitting Guam, "we will take it out." (Reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by James Dalgleish)