Donald Trump said he is considering winding down the war in Iran, even as reports emerge of the Pentagon planning a ground invasion.
In a post on Truth Social this morning, Trump detailed his achievements since starting the war three weeks ago.
“We are getting very close to meeting 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.
“(1) Completely degrading Iranian Missile Capability, Launchers, and everything else pertaining to them. (2) Destroying Iran’s Defense Industrial Base. (3) Eliminating their Navy and Air Force, including Anti Aircraft Weaponry. (4) Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability, and always being in a position where the U.S.A. can quickly and powerfully react to such a situation, should it take place. (5) Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others. The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not!
“If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated.
“Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them.”
But his claims come as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared victory in his own statement.
“The enemy has been defeated,” Khamenei said.
“(Iranians have) dealt him a dizzying blow so that he now starts uttering contradictory words and nonsense.”
Trump’s purported consideration of winding down the war comes at the same time as reports of an invasion being planned.
CBS News reports the Pentagon has made detailed plans for a ground invasion of Iran.
But Trump denied the plans in an obtuse way.
“No, I’m not putting troops anywhere,” he said.
“If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.”
He is also considering using ground troops to occupy Iran’s strategically valuable Kharg Island, according to reports.
Axios cited four sources as saying the Trump Administration was considering a blockade of the island or even landing troops there.
When questioned about this outside the White House, Trump was coy.
“I may have a plan, I may not,” he said.
“It’s certainly a place that people are talking about. But I can’t tell you that.”
Because Iran’s coastline is too shallow for massive tankers, 90 per cent of Iran’s oil is exported via Kharg Island.
US Central Command confirmed today that 232 American service members have been injured since the war began three weeks ago.
Of those, ten are seriously wounded, and 207 have been able to return to duty.