US President Donald Trump has stressed that economic pressure on Iran will remain until a diplomatic breakthrough is achieved, saying: “We will not take off (the blockade) until there is a ‘DEAL’.”
In his statement, US President Donald Trump made sweeping claims about the ongoing conflict involving Iran, touted strong US military success and sharply criticized the mainstream US media. The report combined victory declarations, accusations against the press, and claims about Iran’s military and economic situation.
Economic pressure and blockade
Trump said the blockade strategy was central to his approach and insisted it would continue until negotiations failed: “The BLOCKADE… is absolutely destroying Iran. They’re losing $500 million a day, which is an unsustainable number…”
Claims about the Iranian military
He also claimed that there has been a significant deterioration in Iran’s defense capabilities, stating: “Their navy has been completely destroyed, their air force has gone into darker orbits, they have no anti-missile or anti-aircraft equipment…”
Trump further hinted at internal instability, adding: “Their former leaders are mostly gone… Regime change!”
Criticism of media coverage
Much of the statement took aim at American media organizations, which he accused of distorting the situation: “If you read Fake News… you would actually think we are losing the war.
He described several outlets in harsh terms, calling them: “The Failing New York Times, the absolutely awful and disgusting Wall Street Journal, and (the) now nearly defunct … Washington Post.”
He also argued that media coverage affects perceptions outside the US: “The enemy is confused because they are getting the same media ‘messages’.”
Claims of military success
Trump opened his remarks with an emphatic statement about progress in the conflict, stating, “I’m winning the war, A LOT, things are going very well, our military has been amazing…”
He called the situation decidedly in favor of America.
Blaming the media and political opponents
He went on to accuse the media of bias, stating, “The anti-American media is rooting for Iran to win…”
Trump also linked criticism of his handling of the conflict to past political battles, adding: “Just as these unpatriotic people used every ounce of their limited power to fight me in the election…”
