US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States has moved closer to its military objectives in the Middle East, while strongly dismissing the possibility of a ceasefire in the conflict with Iran.“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,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, outlining goals including reducing Iran’s missile capabilities, destroying its defense industrial base and preventing it from acquiring a nuclear capability. Listing the goals he said, “(1) Completely weaken the Iranian missile capability, launchers, and everything associated with them. (2) Destroy Iran’s defense industrial base. (3) Destroy their navy and air force, including anti-aircraft weapons. (4) Never allow Iran to get even close to a nuclear capability, and always be in a position where the United States can respond quickly and powerfully to such a situation, if it should occur. (5) Security, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern allies, including “Includes Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and others.”
He also indicated that responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz should be shifted from Washington. “The Strait of Hormuz must be defended and monitored by other nations that use it – the United States does not!” He said that America will assist if needed.Meanwhile, earlier, speaking to reporters at the White House with Marco Rubio, 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.” “I think we won,” he said.
His comments came as the US deployed additional naval personnel to the Middle East, signaling a possible expansion of military options, although Washington said it is not currently planning to send ground troops to Iran.