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United States President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington is considering winding down its military operations in Iran, saying it is “getting very close to meeting” its objectives in the war.
"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Trump said the United States was nearing the completion of its military objectives in Iran and was weighing a reduction of operations in the region.
Trump listed five goals he said were close to being achieved, including degrading Iran's missile capabilities, destroying its defense industrial base, eliminating its navy and air force, preventing Iran from ever approaching nuclear capability, and protecting U.S. allies in the region, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Kuwait.
He also said the Strait of Hormuz would need to be "guarded and policed" by countries that rely on it for oil, not the United States.
Trump said Washington would assist if requested, but suggested it would not be necessary "once Iran’s threat is eradicated," describing it as an operation other countries could carry out with relative ease.
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The remarks came after Trump ruled out a ceasefire agreement with Iran, even as additional U.S. Marines were deployed to the Middle East, in what could signal preparations for a potential ground operation.
Trump said the United States held the upper hand in the three-week-old conflict, despite Iran effectively blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has driven global oil prices sharply higher.
"I think we have won," Trump told reporters at the White House alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"I don't want to do a ceasefire. You know you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side."
U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28 and have reportedly killed around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks across the region and has closed most ships from transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route that normally handles 20 million barrels per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade.
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