Trump declares Iran war 'very complete' while eyeing US control of Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Monday, March 9, that the US war with Iran was close to ending, claiming Iranian military capabilities had been largely dismantled.
Speaking in a phone interview with CBS News from his golf club in Doral, Florida, Trump said Iran’s armed forces were severely weakened following days of US and Israeli strikes.
“I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” Trump said. “They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force. Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones.”
According to the US military, more than 3,000 Iranian targets have been struck during the first week of operations. “If you look, they have nothing left. There’s nothing left in a military sense,” Trump added.
President threatens action over Strait of Hormuz
Trump also warned Iran against interfering with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor.
About 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow waterway, but commercial shipping has largely stalled amid the conflict.
The president said that the United States “could do a lot” regarding the strait and indicated that he was considering direct control of the strategic route.
“They’ve shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute, or it’s going to be the end of that country,” Trump said. “If they do anything bad, that would be the end of Iran, and you’d never hear the name again.”
Trump added that the waterway remained open and claimed that some ships had continued to pass through, though he said he was still “thinking about taking it over.”
No message for Iran’s new supreme leader
Iran announced late Sunday that Mojtaba Khamenei would succeed his father as the country’s supreme leader. Asked whether he had a message for the new leader, Trump dismissed the idea.
“I have no message for him. None whatsoever,” the president said, adding that he had someone else in mind to lead Iran.
Trump’s comments suggesting the conflict might soon end contrasted with messaging from the US Department of Defense.
In a post on X the same day, the Pentagon wrote: “we have only just begun to fight,” adding the phrase “no mercy.” Trump had initially estimated the war could take about a month, but said operations were progressing faster than expected.
Asked whether the war could soon wrap up, Trump said the decision ultimately rests with him. “Wrapping up is all in my mind,” he said. “Nobody else’s.”
