Trump on US-Iran War: US President Donald Trump said Monday that the conflict between the United States and Iran could be close to ending, according to remarks made during a phone interview with CBS News.
Speaking from his golf club in Doral, Florida, Trump suggested that Iran’s military infrastructure has been significantly degraded. “I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” the president told CBS News, adding that Iran has effectively lost its navy, communications systems and air force.
He further claimed that Iran’s missile capabilities have been reduced to scattered remnants and that its drone fleet, and even its drone manufacturing operations, are being destroyed.
According to the US military, more than 3,000 Iranian targets were struck during the first week of the campaign. As reported by CBS News, Trump said the scale of the strikes has left Iran with “nothing left in a military sense.”
Leadership Change in Iran
Political developments are also unfolding in Tehran. Late Sunday, Iran announced that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei will succeed his father as the country’s supreme leader.
When asked about the leadership change, Trump told CBS News that he had no message for the incoming leader. “I have no message for him. None whatsoever,” he said, while adding that he has someone else in mind to lead the country.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions and Global Oil Impact
The conflict has also disrupted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route through which roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply moves. Shipping activity through the strait has effectively stalled.
Trump told CBS News that the United States could take further action to secure the waterway and warned Iran against interfering with shipping traffic. “They’ve shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute,” he said, adding that further escalation by Iran could mean “the end of that country.”
The president also said the strait is currently open and claimed that ships have begun entering the passage again, but noted that he is still considering the possibility of the US taking control of it.
Markets React to Interview
Financial markets responded swiftly to the president’s comments. According to CBS News, US benchmark crude oil prices dropped nearly 10 per cent, just under USD 10 per barrel, within roughly two hours of the interview.
Oil prices ultimately slipped slightly below their opening level from Sunday evening after surging earlier in the day. Major stock indices also finished Monday in positive territory after spending most of the session in the red.
War Timeline and Military Messaging
Earlier in the conflict, Trump had estimated the campaign would take about a month. However, he told CBS News that the operation is progressing faster than anticipated.
“We’re very far ahead of schedule,” he said.
At the same time, messaging from the Department of Defence suggested the campaign may still be intensifying. On Monday afternoon, the department posted on X that US forces have “Only Just Begun to Fight” and vowed “no mercy.”
American Casualties and Memorial
The conflict has also resulted in American casualties. Seven US service members have died in combat so far, CBS reported.
Later Monday, Vice President JD Vance was scheduled to attend the dignified transfer of the remains of US Army Sgt. Benjamin Pennington. The soldier died from injuries sustained during a March 1 attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
When asked by CBS News whether the war might end soon, Trump emphasised that the decision ultimately rests with him.
“Wrapping up is all in my mind, nobody else’s,” the president said.
