Trump Claims Iran Will Need 'Years' to Bounce Back from U.S. Strikes, Suggests 'Alternatives' for Regime

President Donald Trump asserted on Saturday that Iran will require "several years" to recover from ongoing U.S. military actions, while also indicating he has "several off ramps" available for the regime to consider in order to avoid further escalation.

In an interview with Axios, Trump stated, "I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: 'See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding" nuclear and missile programs.

He elaborated on his decision to initiate strikes, explaining that he believed Tehran was not genuinely interested in reaching a deal based on the trajectory of negotiations. "The Iranians got close and then pulled back — close and then pulled back. I understood from that that they don't really want a deal," he remarked.

Trump also reflected on Iran's historical actions, revealing that he had tasked his team with compiling data on every Iranian-linked attack globally over the past quarter-century. "I saw that every month they did something bad, blew something up or killed someone," he noted.

During the interview, Trump emphasized that had he not ordered a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities last year, the nation would have likely developed a nuclear weapon, complicating any future military options.

In his address announcing the military action, Trump urged the Iranian populace to seize control of their government once the bombings ceased. "When we are finished, take over your government; it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," he declared.

In response, Iran has retaliated by launching missiles targeting Israel and U.S. military bases across the region, including locations in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. attacks as a breach of the UN Charter and labeled them a "clear crime against international peace and security." He asserted that Iran would utilize all its "defensive and military capabilities" in response.

As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely, weighing the implications of Trump's statements and Iran's subsequent actions on regional stability.