Iran – Trump Says US Military Campaign Nears End After Heavy Strikes
Iran – President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States’ military campaign targeting Iran could conclude in the near future, saying the operation’s objective is to ensure Tehran loses the ability to develop weapons capable of threatening the United States, Israel, or allied nations.
Speaking during a news conference in Florida, Trump stated that American and Israeli forces have already inflicted major damage on Iran’s military infrastructure and command structure. According to the president, the campaign has significantly weakened several core components of Iran’s defense system.
Military Operations Target Thousands of Sites
Trump said the joint military effort has involved extensive strikes against Iranian facilities and installations believed to support the country’s defense capabilities. He claimed that thousands of targets had been hit since the beginning of the operation.
“We’ve struck more than 5,000 targets so far,” he said while addressing reporters.
The president described the operation as one that has systematically targeted key elements of Iran’s military network, including missile infrastructure, naval assets, and drone production systems. Trump argued that these strikes had severely limited Iran’s operational capacity.
According to him, the campaign had also disrupted multiple layers of Iran’s military leadership. While he did not provide specific details, Trump suggested that senior command structures had been significantly affected during the attacks.
Damage to Naval and Missile Capabilities
One of the major focuses of the military campaign, Trump said, has been Iran’s naval presence and missile arsenal. He asserted that a large portion of Iran’s naval strength had already been neutralized during the strikes.
“Most of Iran’s naval power has been sunk,” he said, adding that maritime capabilities were among the first targets during the operation.
The president also claimed that Iran’s missile systems had suffered extensive losses. He estimated that the country’s missile capacity had been reduced to roughly 10 percent of what it previously possessed.
Trump further noted that American forces had begun targeting Iran’s drone manufacturing facilities as part of a broader strategy aimed at weakening its aerial capabilities.
Possibility of Additional Strikes
Although Trump described the campaign as largely successful so far, he emphasized that the United States had deliberately avoided striking certain high-value targets. According to him, these locations were being held in reserve in case further military action becomes necessary.
“We’ve left some of the most important targets for later,” Trump said. “If we choose to hit them, rebuilding them would take many years.”
His comments suggested that the United States is maintaining the ability to escalate the campaign if strategic conditions require additional action.
Defining the Goal of the Operation
When asked how the United States would determine when the conflict has reached its conclusion, Trump explained that the benchmark for success would be Iran’s inability to rebuild weapons programs capable of threatening regional or global security.
He said the ultimate aim is to ensure that, for a long period of time, Iran will not have the capability to produce weapons that could be used against the United States, Israel, or allied countries.
According to Trump, once American officials are confident that Iran’s military development programs can no longer pose a significant threat, the operation would effectively be considered a victory.
Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
Trump also addressed concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for oil transportation.
The president warned Iran against attempting to interfere with shipping in the region and emphasized that the United States had deployed significant naval forces to protect the waterway.
“The Strait of Hormuz is going to remain safe,” he said, noting that numerous U.S. Navy vessels are currently stationed in the area to safeguard international trade routes.
Background of the Joint Military Campaign
The United States began launching large-scale strikes against Iranian targets earlier this month in coordination with Israel. The operation was designed to weaken Tehran’s military capabilities and limit its ability to develop weapons systems that could threaten regional stability.
While tensions in the Middle East remain high, Trump’s latest remarks indicate that U.S. officials believe the campaign has already achieved many of its strategic objectives.