US President Donald Trump confirmed that the war with Iran is nearing its end, describing it as a “short-term trip,” while speaking about the major destruction of Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
During a press conference in Florida, Trump stated that military operations will continue “until the enemy is completely and decisively defeated,” pointing out that Iran’s surrender is “a matter of time,” even though the battle has not yet reached its end.
He explained that the most dangerous stages of the war were at its beginning, stressing that the United States, in cooperation with Israel, succeeded in causing severe damage to Iran’s military capabilities.
He added that American and Israeli forces destroyed 46 Iranian ships and a large number of missiles and drones, noting that Iranian military capabilities, especially in the field of launching missiles, had decreased by 99%.
Trump also announced that the Iranian nuclear threat had been completely eliminated, stressing that the American strikes prevented Tehran from possessing a nuclear weapon that it could have obtained within a few weeks.
He said that the Iranian Navy is “almost finished,” adding that most of its ships are at the bottom of the sea as a result of military operations.
Despite his talk of achieving “big victories,” Trump admitted that the results were not yet sufficient, stressing that the United States was determined to end what he described as the Iranian threat that has been ongoing for 47 years.
In a related context, Trump threatened Iran with a stronger attack if it tried to disrupt global oil supplies.
He said that Washington would not allow what he described as a “terrorist regime” to take the world hostage by threatening energy supplies, adding that any Iranian attempt to disrupt the movement of oil would face a much more severe blow.
He pointed out that the US administration is considering temporarily lifting some oil-related sanctions with the aim of lowering prices and calming global markets affected by the war in the Middle East.
Trump also addressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important sea lanes for transporting oil in the world, indicating that he is considering placing the strait under US control if necessary.
He stressed that American forces may accompany commercial ships in the strait to ensure safe navigation, especially after a number of ships have been subjected to attacks since the beginning of the war.
The attacks that occurred in the region caused major disruption to shipping traffic through the strait, through which about 20% of global oil supplies pass.
In his first comment on the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader of Iran to succeed his father, Trump said that he was “not happy with this choice.”
He added that he did not have any message for the new guide, but he indicated that he had a person in mind who could assume this position in the future, without revealing further details.
The Iranian Leadership Council of Experts announced the election of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, succeeding his father, who was assassinated at the beginning of the American-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28.
In another context, Trump acknowledged that he did not expect the US armed forces to be used in such an extensive manner during his second term.
During his speech before members of the Republican Party, he said that the recent military operations were “a short trip to get rid of some individuals,” stressing that this stage will end soon.
It is noteworthy that Trump began his second presidential term on January 20, 2025, and despite his pledge during his election campaign to end “long wars,” his first year witnessed military escalation in multiple regions, including Iran.
