U.S. President Donald Trump said he has no intention of ending the ongoing war with Iran at this stage, despite increasing concerns about the conflict’s potential impact on the global economy.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington, Trump stated that U.S. strikes have dealt significant damage to Iranian capabilities.
“We’ve hit the Iranians hard, and they’d need 10 years to rebuild if we stopped now… But I’m not ending the war now,” the president said.
Trump emphasized that fluctuations in global oil prices would not deter Washington from pursuing its strategic objective of preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He added that the ongoing aerial campaign has significantly weakened Iran’s military infrastructure and operational capabilities.
The president also claimed that several high-profile figures within the Iranian leadership had been neutralized during the conflict. He noted that U.S. officials are monitoring potential successors within the Iranian system whom Washington may consider suitable for future engagement.
Trump said he believes Iranian leaders are not yet ready to accept negotiations on U.S. terms.
“I’ve heard that the Iranians very much want to negotiate, but I don’t think they’re ready to do that,” he said.
Addressing disruptions to maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the president warned that blocking the strategic waterway could be carried out by only a few individuals rather than a large military force. He urged allied countries—particularly those heavily dependent on the strait for energy supplies—to take greater responsibility in safeguarding international shipping routes.
Trump concluded by reiterating that Iran’s military capabilities have “declined significantly” as a result of the sustained campaign. – Kuna
