Israel-Iran War: US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the United States is close to achieving its military objectives in the Middle East, (Middle East is a geopolitical area encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey.) while simultaneously completely ruling out the possibility of a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
In a post on ‘Truth Social,’ Trump said, “We are very close to achieving our goals, as we consider scaling down our great military efforts in the Middle East regarding Iran’s terrorist regime.” He also outlined his objectives, which include diminishing Iran’s missile capabilities, dismantling its defense industrial base, and preventing it from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Enumerating these goals, he further stated:
(1) To completely eliminate Iran’s missile capabilities, launchers, and everything associated with them.
(2) To destroy Iran’s defense industrial base.
(3) To dismantle its Navy and Air Force, including anti-aircraft weaponry.
(4) To never allow Iran to even come close to acquiring nuclear capabilities, and to always remain in a position where the US, should such a situation arise, can respond swiftly and forcefully.
(5) To ensure the highest level of security for our Middle Eastern allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.
Israel-Iran War: Responsibility for Securing the Strait of Hormuz
US President also indicated that responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz should shift from Washington to other nations. He stated, “The security and monitoring of the Strait of Hormuz, should it become necessary, must be undertaken by those other countries that utilise it, not by the United States!” He further added that the U.S. would assist if required.
Israel-Iran War: US President Trump Rejected Calls for a Ceasefire
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, while speaking to reporters alongside Marco Rubio at the White House, US President Trump rejected calls for a ceasefire. “I don’t want a ceasefire. You know, when you are literally wiping out the other side, you don’t call for a ceasefire,” he remarked, adding, “I think we have won.” These comments came as the U.S. deployed additional Marines to the Middle East, signalling a potential expansion of military options, even as Washington maintained that it currently has no plans to deploy ground troops to Iran.
