President Trump said in an extended statement that Iran's navy and air force, once strong four months ago, have lost most of their missiles, launchers, and production facilities. He also addressed the Lebanon front, stating he will 'solve problems quickly' including with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who he noted has said Israeli forces will not leave Lebanon. The remarks, reported by the Israeli press, included a dismissive comment about potential successors: 'No one wants to be president.'
President Donald Trump offered an expansive assessment of the military degradation of Iran's conventional forces in comments carried by Israeli media Monday evening. 'Iran had a strong navy and air force four months ago. Most of their missiles, launchers, and production facilities have disappeared,' Trump said, providing an unusually detailed characterization of the damage inflicted during the recent exchange of strikes.
Trump also revisited the standoff on Israel's northern border, reacting to Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement that IDF forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon. 'We'll examine that. I solve problems, and I can solve problems quickly — including with Bibi,' Trump said. He added, 'As long as they respect us — and I don't want to use the word 'fear' because it's not appropriate — as long as they respect us, we won't have problems.'
On the domestic front, Trump offered a candid assessment of the political mood: 'You have to hear their conversations: 'Who wants to be president?' 'I don't want to.' No one wants to be president.' The remarks add to a week of heightened public exchanges between the two leaders over the pace and terms of Israel's military posture in Lebanon. Trump also asserted 'full control' of the Strait of Hormuz, though he did not detail the military or diplomatic basis for the claim. As The Zioneer reported earlier Monday, Trump and Netanyahu have been trading increasingly pointed statements on the Lebanon withdrawal issue, with the US president expressing disappointment that Israel has not defeated Hezbollah and floating the possibility of involving Syria.
2 developments
- StrongTrump: Iran's military is a total mess — 'the bully of the Middle East is dead'
- StrongTrump says war with Iran over, Iran agreed to never hold nuclear weapons
- DevelopingTrump responds to Netanyahu's pledge on Lebanon withdrawal: 'We'll see, I solve problems quickly'
- StrongTrump: If Iran does not respect us, I will do what I must; addresses Lebanon and sanctions
Source and signal
- Internal intake