Trump said US forces struck Iranian military sites including Kharg Island while sparing oil infrastructure, warning Tehran against disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
A proposal to feature Donald Trump on a new $250 banknote has sparked debate over US currency laws and traditions. (Photo: X/@WhiteHouse)
US President Donald Trump has said American military operations against Iran are progressing “very well”, claiming US forces delivered “very big hits” as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate.
The remarks come amid intensifying hostilities in the region, with Washington stepping up military action against Tehran and targeting sites linked to Iran’s defence infrastructure. The conflict has also raised global concerns about oil supply routes and the stability of the Gulf.
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Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, Trump portrayed the campaign as highly successful and suggested Iran’s military capacity had suffered severe damage.
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“The situation in Iran is going very well. A lot of big hits today. A lot of big wins today,” he said, adding that US forces had the situation “under very good control”.
Trump said the objective of the operation was to remove what he described as a nuclear threat posed by Iran.
“But we had to end the nuclear threat in the Middle East and throughout the world, and we will have done that,” he said.
The US President also argued that Iran’s military power had been significantly weakened during the fighting.
“To me, it means very simply that we are in a position of dominance that nobody’s ever seen before,” he said when asked about the possibility of unconditional surrender.
According to Trump, much of Iran’s naval and air capabilities had already been destroyed.
“Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, most of their military is gone. Their big threat is gone in every way,” he said.
He further claimed that Iranian air defence systems had been largely neutralised.
“They have no radar, they have no anti-aircraft weapons for the most part,” Trump said, adding that “just about everything is gone”.
When questioned about how long the conflict could last, Trump avoided giving a timeline.
“I can’t tell you that… It’ll be as long as it’s necessary,” he said. “But we’re way ahead of schedule.”
Trump also suggested that global energy markets could stabilise once the fighting ends.
“Well, I think your gas prices, as soon as that’s over, are gonna come tumbling down,” he said, predicting a significant drop in fuel prices after the conflict.
He confirmed he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the crisis and said discussions were continuing on several issues.
“I have. And we are discussing a couple of different things with him,” Trump said.
The US President also acknowledged communication with Israel but hinted that Washington and Tel Aviv may not always share identical military priorities.
“I think they might be a little different… they’re a different country than we are,” he said when asked about coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Still, Trump stressed the scale of American military strength, saying the US possessed unmatched capabilities.
“He will tell you there’s never been a power like the power of the United States,” he added.
Also Read: US-Israel-Iran war LIVE Updates
In a separate statement, Trump said US forces had carried out a major bombing raid on Kharg Island, a strategically important Iranian outpost in the Persian Gulf.
According to the President, the operation was ordered by him and executed by US Central Command (CENTCOM).
“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East,” Trump wrote on social media, claiming that military targets on the island had been “totally obliterated”.
Kharg Island is Iran’s primary crude oil export hub and plays a crucial role in the country’s energy sector.
Trump said the US military deliberately avoided damaging oil facilities located there.
“Our weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the world has ever known, but… I have chosen NOT to wipe out the oil infrastructure on the island,” he said.
However, he warned that the decision could change if Iran interferes with maritime traffic in the region.
“Should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” Trump said.
The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf with global shipping routes, carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making it one of the most strategically sensitive waterways.
Trump also issued a warning to Iran’s leadership and military.
“Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack — There is nothing they can do about it!” he said.
Reiterating Washington’s long-held position, the US President said Iran would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
“Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East or, for that matter, the World!” Trump said.
According to reports cited by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, the US strike targeted missile and naval mine storage facilities on Kharg Island while leaving economic oil infrastructure intact.
Located about 20 miles off Iran’s southern coast, the island hosts major storage terminals and export facilities that handle a large share of the country’s crude shipments.
The latest developments have added to fears of disruption in the Gulf region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy trade.
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