Trump Says US 'Very Close' to Goals in Iran, Considers Reducing Middle East Military Efforts

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that America is "very close" to its goals in Iran and is considering reducing its military efforts in the Middle East.

Trump claimed Iran's missile capabilities, launchers and all related tools have been "completely" weakened. He listed other key U.S. goals as the destruction of Iran's defense industrial base, elimination of its navy and air force including anti-aircraft weapons, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capability so the U.S. can respond "quickly and powerfully" at any time, and protecting U.S. allies in the Middle East.

Trump said the Strait of Hormuz should be protected and controlled by other countries that use it if necessary, adding that the United States will not do so. He emphasized that if requested, the U.S. will help allied countries in the Middle East with their efforts to secure the strait, and after "rooting out" the Iranian threat, "this will be an easy military operation for them."

Trump accused NATO allies of "cowardice" for refusing to send forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the route for about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, which has been practically closed to most ships since the U.S.-Israel war against Iran began nearly three weeks ago.

Reuters previously reported that unnamed U.S. officials said the U.S. military has deployed thousands more Marines to the Middle East.