Trump claims victory over Iran but signals push for even stronger finish
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump stated that America has already achieved victory over Iran. However, the nuclear threat from Tehran persists, according to his interview with Newsmax.
"We've already won, but I want to win by a bigger margin. We have destroyed their navy, destroyed their air force, destroyed all of their — if you look at their anti-aircraft equipment, their radar equipment, their leadership. Their leadership is destroyed. We've destroyed everything," Trump said.
He described Iran as severely weakened both militarily and economically. According to him, due to the damage inflicted, the country may need 20 years to recover — if it can do so at all.
At the same time, the US leader emphasized that military achievements alone are not enough, as guarantees are needed that Tehran will not develop nuclear weapons. He added that Iran would use nuclear weapons if it acquired them.
"But it's actually not good enough. We have to have guarantees they will never have a nuclear weapon. I will tell you that Iran would use the nuclear weapon if they had it. I deal with these people. I know people. They will use their nuclear weapon, and we're not going to give them a chance to do it," the president said.
He also rejected previously proposed ideas about supplying Iran with nuclear materials for civilian use.
"I wouldn't have approved that. I wouldn't have. I'm not giving them anything. They're going to either have a nuclear weapon, or they're not. And if they do, they're in big trouble," the White House chief stated.
Trump added that Iran is already under serious economic pressure. In particular, he said inflation in Iran is approaching 100%, and the country cannot extract oil because the US blockade is working effectively.
He also said that the international reaction has generally been positive, but he also criticized allies for not taking more decisive action. Moreover, NATO has not provided significant assistance.
"I actually think it's very popular what I'm doing. The world is thanking me, because I shouldn't be the one that's doing it. Other presidents should have done it long before me, and other countries should have done it," Trump concluded.
End of the war with Iran and "punishment" of NATO countries
The US and Iran have been trying to reach a peace agreement through intermediaries for nearly a month now, but so far without success. Nevertheless, Trump recently extended the ceasefire to obtain a single proposal from Iran.
Earlier this week, it became known that Iran had indeed delivered a new peace proposal to the US, which suggested completely lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but at the same time postponing nuclear negotiations. The media reported that Trump viewed this proposal with skepticism.
Meanwhile, CNN sources said that the US and Iran may conclude a peace agreement in phases. Specifically, the first phase of the agreement could include a return to the pre-war status quo and the resumption of operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
NATO countries did not personally assist the United States in the war against Iran. Against this backdrop, Trump repeatedly criticized the Alliance, and there was information in the media that Washington is considering "punishing" a number of countries.
Thus, a day earlier, Trump announced a possible reduction in the number of US troops in Germany. Additionally, earlier tonight, he told journalists that he might also reduce the contingent in Italy and Spain.
