US President Donald Trump said Monday that the ongoing war between the United States and Iran could be nearing its end, claiming Tehran’s military capabilities have been largely dismantled.
Speaking in a phone interview with CBS News from his golf club in Doral, Florida, Trump said the conflict is already “very complete” and progressing faster than originally expected.
During the interview, Trump said US operations had significantly weakened Iran’s military infrastructure.
“I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” the president said.
He claimed Iran had lost most of its military capacity.
“[Iran has] no navy, no communications, they've got no air force. Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones,” Trump said.
According to the US military, American forces have struck more than 3,000 Iranian targets during the first week of operations.
“If you look, they have nothing left. There's nothing left in a military sense,” Trump added.
US ahead of original war timeline
The president had earlier estimated that the war might take about one month to complete. However, he now says the campaign is moving faster than expected.
“We're very far ahead of schedule,” Trump told CBS News.
When asked if the conflict could end soon, Trump said the decision would ultimately depend on him. “Wrapping up is all in my mind, nobody else's,” he said.
Also Read: Iran says talks with US likely off the table after 'bitter experience'
The developments come shortly after Iran announced a leadership change. Late Sunday, Tehran said Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei would replace his father as Iran’s supreme leader. His father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had previously led the country before his death.
Trump said he had no message for the new leader.
“I have no message for him. None, whatsoever,” the president said, adding that he has someone else in mind to lead Iran.
Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions
The conflict has also affected global energy supply routes. Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route that carries about 20% of the world’s oil supply, has effectively ground to a halt.
Trump warned Iran against interfering with the waterway.
“They've shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute or it's going to be the end of that country,” he said.
“If they do anything bad, that would be the end of Iran and you'd never hear the name again.”
At the same time, Trump said the strait is currently open and claimed ships have been entering the route. He also said he is considering taking control of the strait, noting the US “could do a lot” regarding the strategic waterway.
Oil, stock markets react
Energy and financial markets have been volatile amid the conflict. Shortly after Trump’s interview aired, the US benchmark crude oil price fell by as much as 13.7%, or roughly $13 per barrel, before recovering some losses later in the day.
Also Read: Iran says oil blockade will continue until attacks end
Oil prices are now slightly lower than they were on Friday, despite surging earlier Monday. However, crude prices remain above pre-war levels.
Meanwhile, major stock indices closed in positive territory Monday after spending most of the day trading in negative territory.
Pentagon signals war may continue
Despite Trump’s comments suggesting the war may soon end, the US Department of Defense struck a different tone.
On Monday afternoon, the Pentagon posted messages on X stating: “We have Only Just Begun to Fight” and “no mercy.”
The remarks suggested that military operations may still continue.
American casualties reported in conflict
The conflict has also resulted in US casualties. So far, seven Americans have died in combat.
Later Monday, Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to attend the dignified transfer ceremony of US Army Sgt. Benjamin Pennington.
Pennington died from injuries he suffered in a March 1 attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
