Trump Sends Mixed Signals on Iran War, Says US ‘Hasn’t Won Enough’ Yet

Washington, March 10: Donald Trump offered conflicting signals on the status of the ongoing conflict with Iran, first suggesting that the military campaign was nearing completion before later stating that the United States had not yet achieved sufficient victory.

Speaking to CBS News, Trump indicated that the joint military campaign conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran was largely accomplished.

“The operation is very complete, pretty much,” Trump said, adding that American forces were “very far ahead” of his earlier estimate that the campaign could take four to five weeks.

However, just hours later, while addressing the Republican Members’ Issues Conference, the US President appeared to shift his tone, emphasizing that the conflict was not yet fully resolved.

“We’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough,” Trump told the gathering. He further asserted that Washington would continue its campaign until its adversaries were decisively defeated.

“We will not relent until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated,” he added.

In his interview with CBS News, Trump claimed that Iran’s military capabilities had been severely degraded. According to him, Tehran had been stripped of key operational assets.

“They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force. Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones,” he said.

Meanwhile, Trump also expressed disappointment over Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader following the reported killing of Ali Khamenei.

Responding to a reporter’s question in Washington on whether the new Iranian leader could become a target, Trump replied cautiously.

“I don’t want to say that, but I was disappointed to see their choice,” he said.

Clarifying Washington’s broader strategic rationale, Trump argued that the military action was necessary to prevent Iran from expanding its influence across the region.

According to the US President, the strikes were launched partly due to Iran’s continued pursuit of nuclear capabilities during limited negotiations between American and Iranian officials.

The developments come amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to draw global attention.