West Asia Conflict / Donald Trump Says US-Iran War Could End “Fairly Soon”

Washington, Aug 27: US President Donald Trump suggested momentum was shifting in the conflict, predicting an end “fairly soon.” He claimed Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was “very seriously wounded” yet continued to survive despite his condition.

“I don't think he's dead. He was very seriously wounded,” Trump told conservative broadcaster Glenn Beck. He elaborated: “The left side of his body, the arm, the leg, the whole thing, he was very seriously wounded. But I don't think he's dead.”

Trump provided no evidence to support his assertions about Khamenei’s condition, noting only that Iranian officials continued to reference consultations with the supreme leader. “And if he is, they're putting on a pretty good show because they talk about, you know, going back to talk to him all the time, you know, to get a final blessing on things,” he said.

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The President also claimed that US forces had destroyed 22 boats overnight as part of operations linked to the blockade. “We took out 22 boats last night. We have people coming in the blockade. Our Navy has been unbelievable. Our military has been unbelievable, the combination,” Trump said.

He predicted the campaign would soon deliver what he described as a decisive outcome. “We had the victory in Venezuela, and we're going to have a big victory here very soon,” he declared.

Asked why Iranians had not risen against their government, Trump argued that protesters faced armed repression. “And it's very hard to protest when you have people that are willing to shoot you and kill you. And that's why they're not protesting,” he said.

Trump insisted Iran had been severely weakened, claiming its navy and air force were destroyed, soldiers were unpaid, and inflation had surged. “There is a chance, because they have become very much weakened,” he said. “You know, their Navy is, as you know, totally gone. Their air force is totally gone.”

He further asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remained functional despite attacks. “The mines are gone. You probably saw that; we put it out yesterday, all the mines. We got rid of the mines. But the strait, it's functioning; it's a functioning strait,” Trump said. “A lot of oil is pouring out, 10 million gallons — 10 million barrels yesterday.”

Trump emphasized that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was the central objective. “We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “That's what it's all about. It's 99.9 per cent. We cannot let them, because they are crazy and they will use it.”

He acknowledged the campaign had affected energy prices but predicted relief. “And we did, and the prices are coming down very rapidly,” Trump said, reiterating that US action against Iran “will be ending fairly soon.” He also defended his earlier decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

(IANS)