US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said Washington may soon wind down its military operations against Iran, claiming that key objectives of the campaign are close to being achieved.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined five broad goals of the ongoing offensive, including crippling Iran’s missile systems, dismantling its defence industry, and preventing it from developing nuclear capability.
The remarks come even as fighting continues across the region, with fresh strikes, missile launches, and rising military activity keeping tensions high.
‘We are close’: Trump lists war goals
Trump said US operations had focused on weakening Iran’s military capacity across land, air and sea, while ensuring the security of key allies in West Asia, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.
“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran: (1) Completely degrading Iranian Missile Capability, Launchers, and everything else pertaining to them. (2) Destroying Iran’s Defense Industrial Base. (3) Eliminating their Navy and Air Force, including Anti Aircraft Weaponry. (4) Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability, and always being in a position where the U.S.A. can quickly and powerfully react to such a situation, should it take place. (5) Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others,” Trump said.
He also suggested that the responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz should eventually shift to other nations that depend on the route, though the US could assist if needed.
“The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated. Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them,” he added.
Strikes continue despite talk of winding down
Even as Trump spoke of a possible drawdown, US Central Command released visuals of recent strikes targeting Iranian assets, including a drone production facility in Esfahan linked to Shahed drones.
According to updates from US officials, thousands of targets have been hit as part of “Operation Epic Fury”, including command centres, missile systems and military infrastructure.
Officials also said more than 120 Iranian naval vessels, including submarines, have been damaged or destroyed.
Iran, meanwhile, hit back. According to a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials, two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were fired towards the US-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
One of them didn’t make it through and failed mid-air. A US warship tried to intercept the second, but it’s still not clear if that attempt worked.
The attempted strike is notable for its distance, roughly 4,000 km, raising questions about the true range of Iran’s missile capabilities.
No ceasefire yet
Despite signalling progress in the campaign, Trump made it clear that Washington is not looking to pause operations.
“You don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side,” he said while speaking outside the White House.
The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes in late February, has since expanded across multiple fronts, with both sides continuing to escalate military actions.