President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to achieving an “ultimate victory” in the war against Iran. Trump claimed on Tuesday that the U.S. and Israel have already achieved significant milestones, leaving the Iranian military with “nothing left.” He described the campaign as a “short-term excursion” that was necessary to prevent a massive attack on American soil.
The President defended the timing of the strikes, asserting that Iran was 100% ready to launch a major offensive within a week. Trump noted that the military’s ability to destroy 80% of Iran’s missile launchers is “amazing” and has significantly reduced the risk of a regional disaster. He emphasized that the U.S. is currently “far ahead of schedule.”
Political transition in Tehran has seen Mojtaba Khamenei take power, a move Trump labeled as “disappointing” for the future of the country. He suggested that the new leader is a “mistake” who will face continued military pressure from the coalition. Thousands of pro-regime supporters have rallied in the capital, while reports of dissent continue to emerge.
Global shipping has been severely disrupted, with commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz reaching historical lows. Trump warned that any Iranian move to stop the flow of oil would be met with a response “twenty times harder” than any previous strike. He has also hinted at a potential U.S. mission to protect international shipping in the Gulf.
As the conflict enters its second week, the death toll among U.S. service members has risen to seven, following a series of counterattacks. Trump paid tribute to the fallen “heroes” while maintaining that the mission must continue until the threat is finalized. The world awaits the next phase of a conflict that has already reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Photo by Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
