Donald Trump has suggested that the United States’ military conflict with Iran may be approaching its conclusion, saying the campaign has already severely weakened the country’s military capabilities.
Speaking in a phone interview with CBS News on Monday while at his golf club in Doral, Florida, Trump said the fighting appears to be largely finished from a military standpoint.
‘I think the war is very complete, pretty much,’ the president said during the interview.
Trump claimed that Iran’s military forces have suffered extensive damage since the start of the conflict, arguing that the country’s naval and air capabilities have effectively been eliminated.
According to the president, Iran’s communication systems have also been disrupted, while its missile supply and drone capabilities have been heavily targeted.
‘They’ve got no navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force,’ Trump said, adding that Iranian missiles and drones have been destroyed in large numbers, including facilities used to manufacture them.
Figures released by the United States Department of Defense indicate that more than 3,000 Iranian targets were struck during the first week of military operations.
‘If you look, they have nothing left,’ Trump said. ‘There’s nothing left in a military sense.’
The remarks came shortly after a major leadership development in Iran.
On Sunday, Iran announced that Mojtaba Khamenei would succeed his father as the country’s supreme leader.
Asked whether he had a message for the incoming leader, Trump dismissed the idea.
‘I have no message for him. None, whatsoever,’ he said, adding that he has someone else in mind to lead the country.
The conflict has also disrupted international shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply normally passes.
Commercial shipping through the strait has largely stopped amid the tensions.
Trump warned that the United States could intervene if Iran attempted to interfere with the passage of vessels through the route.
‘They’ve shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute,’ the president said, adding that further escalation from Iran could have severe consequences.
He also claimed the strait was currently open and that ships had begun entering the waterway again, though he said he was still considering the possibility of the United States taking control of it.
The developments have already affected global energy markets.
The U.S. benchmark for crude oil briefly plunged by about 13.7%, or roughly $13 per barrel, shortly after the interview aired before recovering somewhat later in the day.
Despite the rebound, oil prices remain higher than they were before the conflict began.
Major stock market indices also ended Monday in positive territory after spending much of the trading day lower.
Earlier in the conflict, Trump estimated the military campaign could take around a month to complete.
However, he said progress has been faster than initially expected.
‘We’re very far ahead of schedule,’ the president told CBS News.
At roughly the same time the president suggested the war was nearing completion, the Defense Department posted messages on social media stating, ‘We have Only Just Begun to Fight’ and ‘no mercy.’
The fighting has already resulted in American casualties.
Seven U.S. service members have died during the conflict so far.
Later on Monday, JD Vance is scheduled to attend a dignified transfer ceremony for the remains of Benjamin Pennington, a U.S. Army sergeant who died from injuries sustained during a March 1 attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
When asked whether the conflict could end soon, Trump made clear that the timeline would ultimately depend on his own decision-making.
‘Wrapping up is all in my mind,’ he said, ‘nobody else’s.’
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: Gallo Images
