US President Donald Trump on Friday suggested ‘ceasing’ US military operations in the Middle East as he listed ‘5 objectives’ that Washington is close to achieving in its war in the Middle East, and ruled out a ceasefire.This announcement comes at a time when Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has claimed victory over America and Israel.In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump ruled out the possibility of a ceasefire, writing that the United States was close to achieving its military objectives.
“We are getting very close to accomplishing our objectives as we consider winding down our great military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the terrorist regime of Iran,” he said.
What are the 5 objectives listed by Trump?
Trump further listed five main objectives that Washington wants to achieve in its war with Iran.
- Completely destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, launchers and related systems
- Destroy Iran’s defense industrial base
- Destroy the Iranian Navy and Air Force, including anti-aircraft weapons
- Prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capability while being prepared to respond quickly if necessary
- Protect Middle Eastern allies including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and others
He also indicated that the responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz should be given to other countries that use it, with the US providing assistance.
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Speaking with Senator Marco Rubio at the White House, Trump rejected calls for a ceasefire. He said, “I don’t want to make a ceasefire. You know you don’t make a ceasefire when you are literally destroying the other side.” Trump further said, “I think we have won.”The comments came as the United States deployed additional naval personnel to the Middle East, signaling a possible expansion of military options, although Washington said there were no current plans to send ground troops to Iran.
‘The enemy has been defeated’: Khamenei claims victory in ongoing war
Responding to the ongoing conflict, Mojtaba Khamenei claimed victory in a message marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year.“For now, because of the special unity that has formed among you, our compatriots, the enemy has been defeated,” he said.Khamenei described the American and Israeli attacks as an illusion aimed at overthrowing Iran’s government and accused them of plotting attacks in Turkey and Oman to create division between regional countries.He praised Iranians for building strongholds in cities, neighborhoods and mosques, saying, “We share with neighboring countries the confrontation against the forces of sectarianism, interests and global arrogance.”The supreme leader has not yet appeared in public since being named successor to his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike at the start of the war. Earlier on Friday, Iran had released a video in which Mojtaba Khamenei is seen teaching religious studies to students.More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict began. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than a million, while Iranian missile attacks on Israel have killed at least 15 people. The United States has reported at least 13 military deaths in the ongoing hostilities.