U.S. President Donald Trump recently asserted that America has achieved a significant victory over Iran, although he acknowledged that the threat of nuclear proliferation from Tehran persists.
In a statement, Trump claimed, “We have already won, but I want to win by a larger margin. We destroyed their navy, we destroyed their air force, we destroyed everything of theirs.” He emphasized that Iran has been severely weakened both militarily and economically, suggesting that the country may require up to two decades to recover, if recovery is even possible.
Despite these claims of military success, Trump stressed that military achievements alone are insufficient. He called for guarantees that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, stating, “Iran would use nuclear weapons if they acquired them.” He expressed confidence in his understanding of Iran’s leadership, asserting, “They would use their nuclear weapons, and we will not give them a chance to do so.”
Trump rejected previous proposals to supply Iran with nuclear materials for civilian purposes, stating, “I would not approve that. I would give them nothing. They either have nuclear weapons or they do not. If they do, they will have big problems.”
He highlighted the severe economic pressure Iran is currently facing, noting that inflation is nearing 100% and that the country is unable to produce oil due to effective U.S. sanctions.
While Trump indicated that the international response to U.S. actions has been generally positive, he criticized allies for not taking more decisive measures. He also pointed out that NATO has not provided substantial assistance, saying, “I think what I am doing is very popular. The world thanks me because this is something that should not have been done by me. Other presidents should have done this much earlier, and other countries should have done it… NATO has not helped us at all.”
In the context of ongoing negotiations, the U.S. and Iran have been attempting to reach a peaceful agreement through intermediaries for nearly a month, albeit without success. Recently, Trump extended a ceasefire to receive a unified proposal from Iran.
Reports emerged earlier this week that Iran submitted a new peace proposal to the U.S., suggesting the complete lifting of the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz while postponing nuclear negotiations. Media sources indicated that Trump viewed this proposal with skepticism.
Furthermore, sources from CNN indicated that the U.S. and Iran might pursue a phased peace agreement, with the first stage potentially involving a return to pre-war status quo and the resumption of operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally, NATO countries have not independently supported the U.S. in its conflict with Iran, leading Trump to repeatedly criticize the alliance. There have been reports that Washington is considering “punishments” for several nations in this context.
In a related development, Trump announced a potential reduction of U.S. troops in Germany, and he mentioned that troop levels might also be decreased in Italy and Spain.
President Trump has declared a military victory over Iran while emphasizing the ongoing nuclear threat from the country. He has called for guarantees against nuclear proliferation and criticized NATO and allies for their lack of support during the conflict.