Trump: 'The war with Iran will soon be over'
President Trump declared that the U.S. and Israel had achieved their goals and that the war with Iran would soon end, but did not set a specific date.
"We're doing a small sortie because we felt we needed to do it to get rid of some people. You'll see that this will only be a short operation," U.S. President Donald Trump said at a press conference in Doral, Florida on March 9. This was his first question-and-answer press conference since launching the airstrike campaign against Iran on February 28.
When a reporter asked about the possibility of the U.S. ending the operation this week or in a few days, the White House occupant responded, "No, but soon, very soon," without setting a specific time.
Trump said the war with Iran "will soon end." Video: C-SPAN
The White House occupant reiterated claims that the U.S. and Israel had destroyed Iran's navy, air force, and missile program, but noted that they still have much work to do. "We've won in many ways, but it's not enough," he continued, calling for a "final victory" against Iran.
When reporters pressed him further on the statement, President Trump explained that his goal was to get Iran to agree not to develop nuclear weapons.
"That's when Iran looks at this guy and says, 'Okay, we're not going to do that,'" Trump said, referring to U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, the U.S. representative in negotiations with Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear program. According to the President, Iranian officials "were not willing to say that" during the negotiations.
Trump argued that Iran's nuclear capabilities had significantly weakened after the U.S. and Israeli attacks. He stated that in the long term, Iran would no longer be able to develop weapons capable of attacking the U.S., Israel, or its allies. The President added that last year's U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities had set Tehran's program back.
President Trump expressed "disappointment" that Iran had chosen Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as its Supreme Leader.
"We believe that choice will only lead Iran to continue facing its old problems," Trump continued.
The US leader declined to comment when asked whether Iran's new Supreme Leader was being targeted. Speaking to NBC News and the New York Post earlier, President Trump also called Iran's decision to choose Mojtaba a "big mistake" and said he was "not happy."
Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin warned that same day that they would kill anyone who threatened Tel Aviv. "I won't comment on the force's plans. I'm just saying that anyone who creates a risk, who threatens Israeli citizens, will be targeted," Defrin declared.
A series of tit-for-tat attacks in the Iran conflict. Click to view details
A series of tit-for-tat attacks in the Iran conflict. Click to view details
The Iran conflict has lasted 10 days. The fighting has resulted in over 1,700 deaths across the Middle East, with Iran reporting over 1,200 deaths and nearly 490 deaths in Lebanon.
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The situation risks further escalation as the US and Israel expand their attacks from political and military targets to civilian industrial facilities in Iran. Tehran has retaliated, causing damage to numerous oil and energy infrastructures in the Middle East.
Iran has declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's oil passes, and attacked about 10 cargo ships transiting the strait. Military action has forced shipping companies to abandon routes through Hormuz, causing world oil prices to skyrocket. On March 9, Mr. Trump said that the US was keeping open the possibility of controlling the strait to ensure the safety of maritime traffic.
