05 May,2026 08:19 AM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondent
US President Donald Trump. Pic/AFP
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran's military capabilities have been "largely destroyed" following ongoing US military action, asserting that the operation is progressing successfully and achieving its intended goals. Speaking at the White House during an event marking National Small Business Week, Trump strongly defended the offensive while reiterating concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions, reported IANS.
Trump emphasised that the primary objective of the military action was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which he described as an unacceptable global risk. "We can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon," he said, underlining that the operation was necessary to avoid a much larger and more dangerous conflict in the future. He framed the intervention as a pre-emptive move designed to neutralise long-term threats rather than escalate tensions, reported IANS.
The US President painted a stark picture of Iran's current military strength, claiming that its infrastructure had been significantly weakened. According to Trump, Iran no longer possesses key defence capabilities, including naval and air power, as well as radar and anti-aircraft systems. He went further to suggest that the country's command structure had been disrupted, stating that its leadership had effectively been eliminated, reported IANS.
Describing the conflict as a "mini war," Trump insisted that the campaign was limited in scope but highly effective. His remarks, however, are likely to fuel debate internationally, as critics question both the scale of the operation and its long-term implications. Despite concerns, Trump maintained that US forces were meeting their objectives without overextending military involvement, reported IANS.
Addressing criticism and opinion polls suggesting limited public support, Trump argued that such figures do not reflect informed opinion. He claimed that support would increase if people fully understood the rationale behind the operation. The President also reiterated confidence in the strength of the United States military, calling it the most powerful in the world, reported IANS.
Trump also linked the conflict to global energy trends, noting that earlier predictions of a sharp spike in oil prices had not materialised. He said prices had remained relatively stable and could decline further as the situation stabilises. Additionally, he highlighted the resilience of financial markets, stating that stock markets continued to perform strongly despite the military action, reported IANS.
The developments come amid heightened global attention on US-Iran relations, with potential geopolitical and economic consequences still unfolding.
(With inputs from IANS)
