Trump Claims Iran Conflict Will Conclude "Very Soon" at Florida Press Briefing
Washington — President Trump expressed optimism regarding the war in Iran, stating it will conclude "very soon," while simultaneously framing it as "the beginning of building a new country." This dual narrative reflects the administration's varied perspectives on the duration of military operations.
During a press conference at his golf club near Miami, he cautioned that Iran could face an "incalculable" cost if its military interferes with oil tankers, a concern that has intensified as oil prices rise amid the conflict.
Trump clarified that while he does not anticipate an immediate end to hostilities, he believes the resolution is imminent. "We're very proud to be involved in this and it's going to be ended soon," he stated. He added, "And if it starts up again… they'll be hit even harder."
Highlighting U.S. military progress, he claimed, "Some people could say they're pretty well complete," referring to military objectives in Iran. "We've wiped every single force in Iran out, very completely," he asserted.
He mentioned that the U.S. has intentionally left significant targets for later, particularly those related to "electricity production and many other things." The president reiterated that the primary goal remains to eliminate the threat of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, arguing that without last summer's strikes on Iranian facilities, "they would have had a nuclear weapon within two weeks to four weeks."
However, experts suggest the timeline for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon could extend beyond that, with assessments indicating it might take three to eight months under optimal conditions.
Earlier in the day, Trump told a senior correspondent that he views the war as "very complete, pretty much." This statement coincided with a Defense Department post on social media declaring, "We have Only Just Begun to Fight," prompting questions about conflicting messages.
"Well I think you could say it both. The beginning, it's the beginning of building a new country," he explained, elaborating on the destruction of Iran's naval capabilities.
Despite expressing interest in approving Iran's next leader, Trump has distanced his administration from nation-building efforts reminiscent of past U.S. interventions. Following the announcement of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader, Trump criticized the choice, suggesting it may perpetuate existing issues within Iran.
When asked about potential actions against Khamenei, he refrained from making definitive statements but expressed disappointment in the leadership transition. He emphasized a preference for internal leadership selection over external imposition, referencing past U.S. actions in Iraq as cautionary tales.
Trump pointed to Venezuela as a model for U.S. engagement, where efforts have focused on working with existing leadership rather than complete regime change. However, he acknowledged that U.S. and Israeli strikes have eliminated several potential leaders in Iran.
In response to inquiries about a recent bombing of an elementary school in Iran that resulted in numerous casualties, Trump noted that a preliminary assessment indicated American forces might be responsible but insisted there was no intention to target civilians. He admitted uncertainty regarding the incident's details and stated he would accept whatever findings emerge from ongoing investigations.
The president warned that any Iranian attempts to disrupt global oil supplies would result in severe repercussions. "I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil supply," he declared.
He reiterated that the U.S. is prepared to provide political risk insurance for tankers operating in the Persian Gulf and could escort them through critical maritime routes if necessary. "If they do anything, the price will be incalculable," he warned regarding potential Iranian actions against oil transport.
Since the onset of hostilities over a week ago, markets have experienced declines alongside surging oil prices. However, following Trump's comments about potential U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil prices saw a slight decrease.
As of now, seven American service members have lost their lives in the conflict. When questioned about acceptable casualty levels, Trump acknowledged that conflicts inevitably lead to loss of life but emphasized his commitment to fulfilling military objectives.
He recounted meeting families of deceased service members who urged him to see the mission through in Iran. Trump also mentioned attending a fundraiser for House Speaker Mike Johnson prior to the press conference at his golf club, which is hosting an annual retreat for Republican congressional members as they strategize for upcoming elections.
