US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that Washington was close to eliminating threats in the Middle East, asserting that recent military actions had significantly weakened Iran.
Trump Faces Tough Choices as Iran War Drags On Amid Rising Energy Prices and Political Pressure
Speaking at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Trump said the United States had taken “historic steps” to protect its allies and end what he described as Iran’s “nuclear blackmail.”
He alleged that Iran had been a source of instability in the region for decades but was no longer in a position to continue its influence. Trump also warned that Tehran would never be allowed to develop advanced naval capabilities or acquire nuclear weapons, claiming that terminating the nuclear deal had prevented such an outcome.
The US president accused Iran of launching missile attacks on regional countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, adding that US strikes had inflicted significant damage on Iranian military capabilities.
Trump said Iran was now showing willingness to negotiate after sustained pressure and expressed hope that talks would yield results soon. However, he stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, jokingly referring to it as the “Strait of Trump.”
He also made remarks about uncertainty surrounding Iran’s leadership, suggesting that a new supreme leader could be either dead or in poor condition.
On the domestic front, Trump said he was unconcerned about not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize, while claiming he had helped stop multiple global conflicts, including tensions between Pakistan and India.
He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling him a “great personality” and acknowledging Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace.
