Donald Trump has claimed that the United States had effectively won the war against Iran, stating that the outcome was decided within hours of the opening strikes. However, the US President also stressed that American forces would continue military operations until all objectives were achieved.
Speaking at a political rally in Hebron in the US state of Kentucky, Trump told supporters that the conflict had been decisively settled very early in the campaign, though the United States would remain engaged in the region to complete the mission.
“You never like to say too early you won. We won,” Trump told the crowd. “In the first hour it was over.”
The remarks come amid continued tensions in the Middle East following military operations involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that began nearly two weeks ago.
Trump claims decisive military advantage
During his speech, Trump credited the US military with inflicting significant damage on Iran’s naval capabilities during the campaign.
According to the President, American forces had neutralised dozens of Iranian naval vessels in the early phase of the conflict.
“We knocked out 58 Iranian naval ships,” Trump said while describing what he called a decisive blow to Iran’s military strength.
Trump also suggested that US attacks had severely weakened Tehran’s military infrastructure and command system.
At one point, he claimed that American forces had left Iran with “practically nothing left to target,” emphasising the scale of the military operations carried out by the United States and its allies.
The President further asserted that the strikes had disrupted Iran’s leadership structure.
Speaking earlier to reporters during a stop in Ohio, Trump said US attacks had eliminated senior Iranian leaders and severely damaged the country’s military command.
“We knocked out twice their leadership,” he said, adding that a new leadership group was now emerging within Iran.
“Now they have a new group coming up. Let’s see what happens to them,” Trump added.
‘Operation Epic Fury’
Trump also discussed the name of the military campaign during the rally, drawing laughter from supporters as he described how the operation was titled Operation Epic Fury.
The President joked that he had initially rejected several proposed names for the operation before settling on the one eventually used.
“They gave me like 20 names, and I’m falling asleep. I didn’t like any of them,” Trump said.
He added that the name “Epic Fury” immediately stood out to him.
“Then I saw ‘Epic Fury’. I said, ‘I like that name’,” he told supporters.
Trump added that such names only sound impressive if the mission ends in victory, reiterating his claim that the United States had already won the conflict.
“Is that a great name? Well, it’s only good if you win and we’ve won,” he said.
War enters second week
Despite his assertion that victory had already been achieved, Trump acknowledged that US forces would continue to remain engaged in the region until all objectives were fully completed.
“We don’t want to leave early, do we? We’ve got to finish the job,” the President said.
The conflict began nearly two weeks ago when the United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes targeting Iran’s military infrastructure and nuclear programme.
The attacks triggered a series of retaliatory actions and heightened tensions across the Middle East, raising concerns among global powers about the possibility of a wider regional conflict.
The ongoing military campaign has also drawn international attention due to the potential impact on global energy markets and maritime trade routes.
Oil market concerns and energy policy
The conflict has already created volatility in global oil markets, prompting concerns about potential disruptions to supply.
Speaking in an interview with WKRC-TV, Trump said the US administration could use the country’s strategic energy reserves to stabilise oil prices if necessary.
He referred to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which is maintained by the US government to address supply disruptions and manage price shocks.
“We’ll reduce it a little bit, and that brings the prices down,” Trump said.
The President also expressed confidence that energy markets would stabilise soon despite the current tensions.
“I filled it up once and I’ll fill it up again,” he said, referring to previous efforts to replenish the reserve.
Trump predicted that oil prices would eventually decline as the situation stabilises.
“We’ll be back on track in a pretty short while. Oil will be coming down,” he added.
Global attention on Middle East tensions
The war between the United States, Israel and Iran has intensified geopolitical tensions across the Middle East.
Several international observers have warned that the conflict could affect global shipping routes, oil production and diplomatic relations in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime oil routes, has been under close watch as the conflict continues.
Analysts say any prolonged disruption in the region could significantly affect global energy supplies and international trade.
Conclusion
While President Trump has claimed that the United States has already secured victory in the conflict with Iran, the military campaign appears to be ongoing as Washington continues operations to achieve its strategic objectives. The situation remains fluid, with geopolitical tensions, oil market volatility and security concerns continuing to dominate international attention.