Trump says US ‘getting very close’ to meeting Iran objectives ‘as we consider winding down’

President Trump said Friday that the U.S. is “getting very close” to meeting its objectives in Iran as Washington considers scaling back its military operations in the region. 

“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,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. 

The president went on to cite the objectives as degrading Iranian missile capability, launches “and everything else pertaining to them,” destroying the country’s defense industrial base, eliminating its navy and air force, never allowing Iran to get close to nuclear capability, as well as protecting U.S. allies in the region, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Trump went on to address the Strait of Hormuz, saying nations that use the vital shipping lane will have to guard and police 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,” he said. 

Trump’s comments come as the U.S.-Israeli operation in the region enters its third week. 

The administration has offered mixed messaging on how long the conflict will last. 

Trump told reporters Friday that he does not want a ceasefire with Iran.

“You don’t do a ceasefire when you’re obliterating the other side,” he said. 

The president told MS NOW on Friday that he thinks the U.S. has “won” the war and that all Iran is doing “is blocking up the Strait [of Hormuz].” 

Trump has said he does not plan to put boots on the ground in Iran. However, the Pentagon is speeding up its deployment of more than 2,200 Marines and sailors who set off for the Middle East from San Diego on Wednesday.

A deployment of ground troops would be an escalation in the conflict, during which at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed and approximately 200 have been wounded.

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