WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared sweeping military success against Iran, saying U.S. and Israeli forces have sunk most of Iran’s navy, destroyed the majority of its missile and drone capabilities, and eliminated multiple levels of the country’s leadership during ongoing operations that he said are ahead of schedule.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the campaign has struck more than 5,000 targets to date and described Iran’s military as effectively dismantled.
“We’ve wiped every single force in Iran out very completely,” Trump said. “Most of Iran’s naval power has been sunk. It’s on the bottom of the sea. And it’s almost 51 ships.”
Trump said Iran’s missile capability has been reduced to approximately 10 percent of its original capacity, and drone manufacturing facilities are now being struck. He said B-2 bombers have dropped dozens of 2,000-pound bombs on missile launchers across Iran, including deeply buried targets.
The president described the military results as unprecedented and said the primary risk phase of the conflict ended within the first two days.
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will remain open, directly tying the military campaign to global oil prices and energy security. He said the United States is offering political risk insurance to commercial tankers operating in the Gulf and that U.S. Navy ships stand ready to escort vessels through the strait if necessary.
“I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe’s oil supply,” Trump said. He warned that if Iran attempts to disrupt shipping, the response would be overwhelming. “If they want to play that game, they better not play that game.”
Trump also announced that the United States is temporarily waiving certain oil-related sanctions to help keep global energy prices down during the disruption. He acknowledged oil prices rose as a result of the conflict but said prices will be “dramatically more secure” in the long run with Iran’s naval threat eliminated. The disruption has driven fuel prices sharply higher across the Pacific, including in the CNMI and Guam, where Mobil raised diesel prices to $7.589 per gallon Sunday night.
On the question of Iran’s future leadership, Trump said he was disappointed by the selection of a new supreme leader, suggesting it could lead to more of the same problems, but declined to elaborate on what outcome he is seeking. He said the U.S. goal is to ensure Iran has no capacity to develop weapons that could threaten the United States, Israel or American allies for a very long period of time.
Trump also addressed the Mullin DHS confirmation in the context of his demand that Congress pass the Save America Act, which includes voter ID requirements, restrictions on mail-in voting, and provisions on transgender issues in sports and medicine, before he signs other legislation.
Trump said he had a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in which they discussed Ukraine and the Middle East, describing Putin as wanting to be constructive.
