US President Donald Trump has said the conflict with Iran is nearing an end, while claiming that American military operations have severely damaged Tehran’s military and nuclear capabilities. Speaking to GB News, Trump said the US had intervened to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. He claimed Iranian facilities targeted by Washington had been effectively destroyed.
Trump Claims Iran Was Weeks Away From Nuclear Weapon
Trump said Iran had been between two and four weeks away from obtaining a nuclear weapon before the US carried out strikes on three nuclear sites. He described the facilities as “obliterated” and said Washington was continuing to monitor them using American space-based capabilities.
Trump also mentioned another site, which he called Pickax Mountain, claiming US intelligence could track activity at the locations. According to Trump, nuclear material at the targeted facilities was now buried beneath large quantities of rock and would be extremely difficult for Iran to retrieve.
US-Iran War: Trump Claims Military Advantage
Trump claimed American forces had effectively defeated Iran’s navy and air force and had also targeted Iranian radar systems. He further asserted that the US had control over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which a significant share of global oil supplies passes.
“We control the Hormuz Strait,” Trump said, while claiming US forces had been striking Iranian boats in the area. The comments come as the strategic waterway remains central to the wider conflict because of its importance to international energy markets.
Trump also argued that European countries would face a major security risk if Iran were able to develop a nuclear weapon. He told British interviewer Bev Turner that Iran would potentially be more likely to use such a weapon against European targets because of its missile capabilities in the region. Trump has repeatedly framed preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as the primary justification for US military action.
Trump Claims Iran’s Economy Is Under Severe Pressure
The US President also claimed that Iran’s economy was deteriorating rapidly, suggesting inflation could have reached as high as 300 per cent. He did not provide evidence during the interview to support that figure. Trump maintained that the military campaign had been justified despite acknowledging the political challenge of explaining the conflict to American voters.
Trump claimed the damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure would have long-term consequences. According to the President, even if US forces withdrew immediately, Iran could require around 25 years to rebuild its nuclear programme to its previous level. He also criticised NATO members, including the UK, for not providing greater assistance to the US in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite their reliance on energy transported through the waterway.
During the interview, Trump also discussed protests in Iran and alleged that 75,000 people had been killed in a crackdown. He claimed Iranian security forces had used machine guns and snipers against protesters, making it difficult for opposition movements to challenge the government. Trump offered no supporting evidence for the death toll during the interview.
