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U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed threats from Iran’s top national security official during a phone interview with CBS News late Saturday, saying he was unconcerned by the remarks as the conflict between Washington and Tehran continues.
Trump responded to comments from Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who said earlier Saturday that Trump must “pay the price” for the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
“I have no idea what he's talking about or who he is. I couldn't care less,” Trump told CBS News, adding that Larijani had “already been defeated.”
Larijani, a longtime confidant of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has emerged as one of Iran’s most prominent figures following Khamenei’s killing on Feb. 28, the first day of the war.
Trump criticized recent statements by Larijani and other Iranian leaders, describing them as weak and diminished.
He reiterated that the U.S. military campaign would continue as he demanded an “unconditional surrender” from Iran.
Earlier Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian released a video apology to neighboring countries for Iran’s retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East, saying Tehran would stop striking Persian Gulf states unless attacked first.
Pezeshkian later clarified in a social media post that Iran had targeted U.S. military bases, facilities, and installations in the region and said Iran had not attacked “friendly and neighboring countries.”
Iran is currently governed by an interim three-person leadership council that includes Pezeshkian.
Trump said the U.S. military campaign had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities.
“It’s been incredible, the job we've done. The missiles are blown to smithereens,” Trump said.
“The drones are blown. The factories are being blown up as we speak.”
He also claimed Iran’s navy and air force had been destroyed.
U.S. Central Command said Friday that at least 43 Iranian ships had been damaged or destroyed in U.S. strikes and that over 3,000 targets had been hit since the start of the war.
“We're winning at levels never seen before and quickly,” Trump said.
Trump also commented on the role of U.S. allies, saying he was focused primarily on the U.S. military campaign.
“I couldn't care less. They can do whatever they want. The loyal ones are already in,” he said.
Earlier Saturday, Trump said on Truth Social that the United Kingdom had prepared two aircraft carriers for possible deployment to the Middle East.
He later said the move was unnecessary and described it as being too late.
“It’s a little bit late to be sending ships, right? A little bit late,” Trump said.
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