Trump Says Iran Conflict Could End Soon as US, Israel ‘Winning Decisively’

Washington — Donald Trump said the ongoing military campaign against Iran could conclude within days, asserting that the United States and Israel were “winning very decisively” in the conflict.

Speaking during a press conference at Trump National Doral Miami, the US President described the joint military campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, as one of the most extensive operations carried out in recent years.

“Over the past nine days, we've carried out some of the most powerful and complex military strikes and maneuvers the world has ever seen,” Trump said.

According to him, the strikes have severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities, particularly its naval forces, missile systems and drone infrastructure. Trump claimed that nearly 50 Iranian naval vessels had been destroyed during the operation.

“We've wiped every single force in Iran out very completely. Most of Iran's naval power has been sunk,” he said, adding that the number of destroyed vessels had reached 51.

Trump also stated that Iran’s missile capabilities had been drastically reduced. “Their missile capability is down to about 10 per cent, maybe less,” he said, noting that facilities involved in drone manufacturing were also being targeted.

The President said US forces had carried out strikes on more than 5,000 locations, including weapons depots, missile launch systems and production facilities. He added that long-range bombers had been used to hit heavily fortified targets.

“Our B-2 bombers dropped dozens of 2,000-pound bombs to destroy missile launchers buried deep under Iranian soil,” Trump said.

Trump further argued that the military action had prevented Iran from developing nuclear weapons, referring to earlier strikes under Operation Midnight Hammer.

“If we didn’t knock out Midnight Hammer, they would have had a nuclear weapon,” he said.

He also claimed that Iran had rejected proposals related to civilian nuclear energy cooperation, including an offer for unlimited nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes.

Warning Tehran against disrupting global oil routes, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain secure. The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, with about one-fifth of global oil supply passing through it.

“The Strait of Hormuz is going to remain safe. If Iran does anything to threaten it, they’ll be hit much harder,” Trump said.

He also announced that the United States would provide political risk insurance to commercial oil tankers operating in the Gulf during the current disruption.

When asked about the likely duration of the conflict, Trump indicated that the military phase might conclude soon. “Days, I think soon,” he said when asked if the war could end this week.

Trump also revealed that he had spoken with Vladimir Putin earlier in the day, adding that their conversation covered both the Middle East situation and the conflict in Ukraine.

During the interaction with reporters, the President acknowledged reports of eight US military personnel losing their lives in connection with the conflict. According to Trump, families of the fallen soldiers had urged him to continue the operation and “finish the job.”

The US launched strikes against Iranian military and nuclear-related facilities following rising tensions between Tehran and Israel, which Washington says posed a threat to regional stability and global energy security.

With inputs from IANS