What is the story about?
US President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty over the trajectory of the conflict with Iran, saying he could not tell whether the war was moving towards de-escalation or further escalation, as he addressed reporters during a White House briefing, indicating that the course of the conflict would depend on Iran’s next steps.
“I can’t tell you, I don’t know. I can’t tell you. Depends what they do,” Trump said when asked whether he is winding down the war or escalating it, in reference to his earlier threat to bomb bridges and power plants, adding, “This is a critical period. They have a period of, well, until tomorrow at 8 o’clock.”
Speaking alongside Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, Trump described a large-scale mission to recover two US airmen from deep within Iranian territory.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe was also present as officials explained how the military located the airmen and used deception to divert Iranian forces during the operation.
Trump praised the operation’s execution and outcome. “In a breathtaking show of skill and precision, lethality and force, America’s military descended on the area— the real area— engaged the enemy, rescued the stranded officer, destroyed all threats and exited Iranian territory while taking no casualties of any kind,” Trump said.
The incident highlighted challenges to US claims of air superiority, as Iranian forces had been able to bring down the aircraft involved.
Trump has repeatedly said US planes operate with significant freedom over
Tehran.
Trump said negotiations with Iran are ongoing and taking place “in good faith”.
At the same time, he criticised Iranian officials, calling them “very good bullshit artists”, and noted that communication has been disrupted due to damage from strikes.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains a key issue in discussions.
“We have to have a deal that’s acceptable to me and part of that deal is going to be, we want to have free traffic of oil and everything else,” Trump said.
He did not fully commit to requiring the reopening of the strait by Tuesday’s deadline.
Amid reports that Iran may introduce tolls for ships passing through the strait, Trump suggested the US could consider collecting such fees.
“What about us charging tolls?” he said. “I’d rather do that than let them have them, right? Why shouldn’t we? We’re the winner.”
Trump reiterated that failure to reach an agreement could lead to major strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
“They’re going to have no bridges, they’re going to have no power plants— stone ages, yeah.”
He added, “We have a plan because of the power of our military where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again.”
“I mean, complete demolition by 12 o’clock. And it will happen over four hours if we wanted to. We don’t want that to happen.”
Responding to concerns that such attacks could amount to a war crime, Trump said, “No, not at all. I hope I don’t have to do it.”
“I can’t tell you, I don’t know. I can’t tell you. Depends what they do,” Trump said when asked whether he is winding down the war or escalating it, in reference to his earlier threat to bomb bridges and power plants, adding, “This is a critical period. They have a period of, well, until tomorrow at 8 o’clock.”
Speaking alongside Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, Trump described a large-scale mission to recover two US airmen from deep within Iranian territory.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe was also present as officials explained how the military located the airmen and used deception to divert Iranian forces during the operation.
Description of the mission
Trump praised the operation’s execution and outcome. “In a breathtaking show of skill and precision, lethality and force, America’s military descended on the area— the real area— engaged the enemy, rescued the stranded officer, destroyed all threats and exited Iranian territory while taking no casualties of any kind,” Trump said.
The incident highlighted challenges to US claims of air superiority, as Iranian forces had been able to bring down the aircraft involved.
Trump has repeatedly said US planes operate with significant freedom over
Talks with Iran continue
Trump said negotiations with Iran are ongoing and taking place “in good faith”.
At the same time, he criticised Iranian officials, calling them “very good bullshit artists”, and noted that communication has been disrupted due to damage from strikes.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains a key issue in discussions.
“We have to have a deal that’s acceptable to me and part of that deal is going to be, we want to have free traffic of oil and everything else,” Trump said.
He did not fully commit to requiring the reopening of the strait by Tuesday’s deadline.
Suggestion on toll collection
Amid reports that Iran may introduce tolls for ships passing through the strait, Trump suggested the US could consider collecting such fees.
“What about us charging tolls?” he said. “I’d rather do that than let them have them, right? Why shouldn’t we? We’re the winner.”
Trump reiterated that failure to reach an agreement could lead to major strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
“They’re going to have no bridges, they’re going to have no power plants— stone ages, yeah.”
He added, “We have a plan because of the power of our military where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again.”
“I mean, complete demolition by 12 o’clock. And it will happen over four hours if we wanted to. We don’t want that to happen.”
Responding to concerns that such attacks could amount to a war crime, Trump said, “No, not at all. I hope I don’t have to do it.”
