New Delhi: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the war with Iran will end “soon” and claimed it could stop whenever he decides. During a phone
interview with Axios, Trump said the military operation had already achieved most of its objectives and suggested that Iran no longer had many targets left.
“Little this and that…Any time I want it to end, it will end,” Trump said. He also said there is “practically nothing left to target” in Iran. The remarks came as tensions in the Middle East remain high and military operations continue across the region.
Israel says strikes will continue
Despite Trump’s claim that the war could end soon, Israeli leaders said military operations will continue. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the joint campaign by Israel and the United States will go on without a fixed deadline.
“This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives and decide the outcome of the campaign,” Katz said, according to news agency AFP. He said Israeli strikes in Tehran and other parts of Iran will continue.
Katz also said attacks will take place “day after day, target after target”. The minister added that the military campaign is meant to increase pressure on Iran’s leadership.
He said continued attacks could encourage people in Iran to challenge the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Ultimately, that is something that depends on them,” Katz said.
Trump claims Iran’s military capacity weakened
Trump repeated his claim that Iran’s military capability has been significantly reduced during the conflict. A day earlier, he told CBS News that the war had become “very complete”.
He claimed Iran no longer has a navy, communication systems or an effective air force. “Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones,” Trump said. He also said Iran has little remaining strength “in a military sense”.
Trump issues warning to Iran
The US president also issued a warning to Iran against any new military action. “They’ve shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute or it’s going to be the end of that country…If they do anything bad, that would be the end of Iran and you’d never hear the name again,” Trump said.
The remarks came as military strikes and counter strikes continue across the Middle East.
