Trump says Iran ‘running out of launchers’ as military capability weakens
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump asserted in a Tuesday, March 3, interview with POLITICO that Iran’s military capacity is being "steadily degraded," claiming the regime is now "running out of launchers."
During a four-minute phone call, Trump noted that while Iranian forces are expected to "keep lobbing missiles for a while," they are running out of areas to fire from because they are being decimated.
The president’s comments come as the conflict enters its fourth day, with US embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait closing amid regional threats.
Despite escalating tensions, Trump said Iran’s retaliation capacity would soon fade, a claim not backed publicly by Pentagon officials.
Defense firms under 'emergency orders'
To sustain the offensive, Trump revealed that US defense companies are "under emergency orders" and on a "rapid tear" to build required weaponry.
He emphasized that while former President Joe Biden did not utilize available resources, the current administration possesses an "unlimited" supply of middle- and upper-middle ammunition.
However, this optimistic inventory report faced pushback from Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn), who warned of a "potential desperate and disastrous shortage" of Patriot and THAAD systems.
These systems are considered critical for protecting US bases, embassies, and civilians from continued waves of Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Engagement with a reconfigured government
Regarding the future of Iranian leadership, Trump stated he remains open to engaging with a "reconfigured Iranian government" if one emerges from the conflict.
He noted that since 49 senior Iranian leaders were killed, "new ones are emerging" to fill the vacuum.
When asked if it was too late to work with a new government, Trump replied, "Nope, not too late," adding that some of the emerging candidates "would be very good."
This suggests a willingness to negotiate with surviving members of the regime even as the administration targets the destruction of Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Justifying the offensive against nuclear threats
Trump justified the ongoing military action by asserting that Iran was on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon or launching an attack on the United States.
While some officials suggested Israel was poised to strike regardless, Trump emphasized the necessity of the current offensive to prevent a direct response against America.
He maintains the war could conclude within days or last up to five weeks.
