US President Donald Trump said in a press conference that US and Israeli operations had devastated Iran’s military capabilities, claimed Tehran’s leadership had been effectively removed, and warned of harsher strikes if Iran disrupts oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking after what he called “a very big two days,” Trump described the military campaign as highly successful and suggested the war could end soon, while also saying operations could continue depending on Tehran’s response.
“We’ve carried out some of the most powerful and complex military strikes and maneuvers the world has ever seen.”
Trump also said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about both Ukraine and the Middle East, describing the conversation as constructive but offering no sign of a breakthrough.
Call with Putin
Asked about the conversation, Trump said Putin wanted to be “helpful” on the Middle East, but said ending Russia’s war against Ukraine would be the more useful contribution.
“I said, ‘You could be more helpful by getting the Ukraine-Russia war over with.’”
Trump described the war between Russia and Ukraine as “a never-ending fight” and referred to “tremendous hatred” between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Even so, he said the call had been “positive” on Ukraine, without making clear whether the two men discussed any concrete next steps. Russian media reports, citing Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, said the call also covered Venezuela and the global oil market.
Later in the press conference, Trump called Venezuela a “template” or formula for success and said the United States had already received 100 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, which he said was being refined in Texas at facilities designed for that crude, with another 100 million barrels on the way.
It was not clear whether Trump’s later remark that Washington may ease oil-related sanctions on some countries also referred to Iran or Russia, or whether Moscow had offered itself as a mediator with Iran in the call. Russia has repeatedly sought relief from oil sanctions imposed over its war against Ukraine.
Oil prices
Oil prices underscored the stakes. On March 9, Brent crude settled at $98.96 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate at $94.77, after both benchmarks briefly surged to about $119.50 intraday as markets reacted to the Iran war and fears over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s clearest warning to Tehran on energy came over the Strait of Hormuz, which he said must remain open and secure.
“The Strait of Hormuz is going to remain safe… You have to keep the straits flowing.”
He said the United States and its partners could quickly guarantee shipping if needed, including escorting tankers and clearing any threat to navigation.
“We could take them all out in one day.”
Trump also warned that if Iran tried to interfere with shipping through the waterway, the response would be overwhelming.
“If they do anything, the price will be incalculable.”
Trump says Iran’s forces and infrastructure were heavily damaged
Trump claimed US and Israeli strikes had “wiped” Iran’s forces “out very completely,” saying most of Iran’s naval power had been sunk and that missile and drone capabilities had been sharply reduced.
He said more than 5,000 targets had been struck and indicated that some critical infrastructure targets had been deliberately left untouched for now.
“We’ve wiped every single force in Iran out very completely… Most of Iran’s naval power has been sunk. It’s on the bottom of the sea… Their missile capability is down to about 10 percent, maybe less.”
Trump added that drone production sites and missile facilities were being hit “one after another,” and said US forces were ahead of schedule.
Nuclear threat and rationale for the strike
Trump said Iran had rejected diplomatic alternatives and still wanted a nuclear weapon, despite what he described as a US offer of unlimited free nuclear fuel for civilian use.
“If we didn’t knock out their Iranian potential… they would have had a nuclear weapon. They even turned down an offer for unlimited free nuclear fuel forever for civilian purposes.”
He also said he believed Iran was preparing to attack first.
“I thought they were going to attack us… And if they hit us first, that would have been a very bad thing.”
Trump said efforts to restart work at another fortified site helped drive the decision to strike.
Venezuela “template” in Iran
Trump used warm language about cooperation with Venezuela and suggested he saw it as a workable political model.
“I like the idea of internal because it works well… I mean I think we’ve proven that so far in Venezuela.”
He contrasted that approach with Iraq-style purges, saying that after officials, the military and police were all removed, “there was nobody” and “they turned into ISIS.” He then praised what he described as strong cooperation with Venezuela’s current leadership. He said Delcy Rodríguez was “doing a great job” and praised the “professionalism and dedication” between the two sides.
Later in the press conference, Trump said the arrangement was benefiting both countries and pointed to oil shipments as proof, saying 100 million barrels had already been sent to the United States and another 100 million were on the way.
“It’s great for Venezuela and it’s great for the United States.”
Asked about Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, Trump used softer language, saying he was “disappointed” by the choice.
Cuba, timeline and Trump’s closing message
Trump also briefly turned to Cuba, saying Havana wanted to make a deal with Washington and praising Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“Well, Marco Rubio is doing a great job. I think he’s going to go down as the greatest Secretary of State in history.”
He suggested the United States could pursue an arrangement with Cuba one way or another, while arguing that the island was in deep economic trouble.
Asked how soon the military operation against Iran could be over, Trump replied: “Very soon,” while declining to set a firm deadline.
When a reporter pointed out that Trump had said the war was nearly complete while his defense secretary had described it as “just the beginning,” Trump argued both could be true.
“Well, I think it could say both. The beginning, it’s the beginning of building a new country.”
Trump then recalled a visit to Dover, where he said he had met the families of killed service members.
“Finish the job, sir. Please finish the job.”
Trump ended the appearance by insisting the campaign was “winning very decisively,” saying Iran had lost most of its key military tools and warning that renewed aggression would bring even stronger retaliation.
“It’s going to be ended soon. And if it starts up again, they’ll be hit even harder.”