New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that Iran’s military has been “wiped out” and asserted that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “90
per cent gone”, signalling a sharp escalation in the renewed confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The remarks came as the United States carried out fresh strikes on Iranian targets and announced new measures, including restoring a blockade on Iran and imposing charges on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said recent US and Israeli attacks had crippled Iran’s military capabilities. “They have no navy. They have no air force. It’s all gone. Their anti-aircraft is gone. Their leaders have all been killed,” he said. Trump also claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father Ali Khamenei as Iran’s Supreme Leader, had been severely weakened, saying he was “90 per cent gone”. Iranian authorities meanwhile have not confirmed Trump’s claims.
Conflict reignites after brief peace
The latest escalation comes just weeks after the US and Iran had agreed to an understanding aimed at reducing hostilities following months of direct military exchanges. This followed the earlier ceasefire which too had been a relative success. Those truces and understandings have now effectively collapsed, with both sides accusing each other of violating commitments.
The US has now resumed strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, while Iran too retaliate with missile and drone attacks targeting American facilities and regional Gulf allies. Trump’s latest comments, coupled with the decision to restore maritime restrictions on Iran, indicate that both countries have returned to open confrontation, raising fresh concerns over regional stability and global energy supplies.
