US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had “wiped Iran off the map” as he achieved his goals, his latest declaration of victory in a conflict that has so far shown no signs of abating.
Trump took aim at The New York Times’ coverage of the conflict, writing: “The United States has swept Iran off the map, yet its light-hearted analyst, David Sanger, says I have failed at my own goals.”
“Yes I do, and weeks ahead of schedule! Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defenses and they want a deal. Not me! We’re weeks ahead of schedule,” the US president said, adding that the NYT “always gets it wrong”.
Read also | Trump vows to ‘wipe out’ Iran’s energy infrastructure if Hormuz is not opened within 48 hours
Trump’s comment — essentially declaring Washington’s goals met — is not new, and the US president has repeatedly claimed victory over Iran by posting several such claims on Truth Social or saying as much to reporters since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28.
Here’s a look at Trump’s claims so far.
February 28 to March 1
After the launch of Operation Epic Fury. Trump claimed a swift American victory in the opening hours of the conflict when he announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said Iran had been “very much destroyed and even wiped out” in a single day.
Trump also claimed that the US Navy had already “destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian naval vessels” and “largely destroyed their naval headquarters”.
March 7th
A week after the launch of Operation Epic Fury, Trump claimed on Truth Social that Iran had “apologized and surrendered” to the Gulf states under pressure from US attacks.
“Iran, who is beaten to HELL, has apologized and surrendered to its Middle Eastern neighbors and promised not to shoot at them again. This promise was only made because of the relentless attack by the US and Israel. They wanted to rule and rule the Middle East. This is the first time in thousands of years that Iran has lost in relation to the surrounding Middle East countries,” Trump tweeted to their welfare states in the Persian Gulf.
March 8
Subsequently, on March 8, Trump ruled out negotiations with Iran, telling reporters, “I don’t think at some point there will be anyone left to say ‘We give up.’
Read also | Iran Attacks Cities Near Israel’s Nuclear Plant – Why Are Arad and Dimona Important?
March 9
In an interview with CBS News the following day, Trump said, “We’ve already won in a lot of ways, but we haven’t won enough.
Trump’s comments came as the US embassy in Baghdad was targeted by the spreading conflict.
March 11th
At a rally in Hebron, Kentucky, Trump reiterated victory over Iran in the early hours of Operation Epic Fury.
“You never want to say too soon that you’ve won. It was all over in the first hour… We don’t want to leave early… we have to finish the job,” he said.
March 12
On March 12, the day Iran’s new Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement pledging to avenge the US and Israel killed, Trump said the war with Iran was “very total, pretty much,” according to The Guardian.
March 13
The following day, March 13, Trump declared on Truth Social that Iran was being decimated and criticized The New York Times’ coverage of the war.
“We are totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically and otherwise, and yet, if you read the Failing New York Times, you would be mistaken for thinking that we are not winning,” the US president wrote.
Read also | Can Strait of Hormuz Reopen as US Tripoli Heads Middle East? The message says…
March 14th
Trump’s claims continued over the weekend, when the US president declared Iran and its aspirants to be “DEAD” on Saturday, March 14.
“Iran had plans to dominate the entire Middle East and completely wipe out Israel. JUST LIKE IRAN ITSELF, THOSE PLANS ARE NOW DEAD!”, the US president wrote.
A few hours later, the US military deployed an additional 2,500 Marines to the Middle East.
March 15th
The following day, Trump again declared that Iran had been defeated, saying on Truth Social, “We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s military capabilities.”
The US president’s comments came amid reports that he had turned to NATO allies for help in escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Later, Trump also warned the alliance of a “very bad” future if member states refuse aid.
March 16
On Monday, March 16, Trump said at the now-renamed Kennedy Center that the US had “literally wiped out” Iran’s military capabilities.
Trump also boasted on Truth Social: “The United States of America has defeated and completely decimated Iran, militarily, economically, and in every other way.
March 21
On Saturday, Trump said the US was “very close” to completing its goals against Tehran and emphasized what they were.
“We are very close to accomplishing our goals as we consider ending our major military effort in the Middle East with respect to Iran’s terrorist regime: (1) Totally degrading Iran’s missile, launcher and everything else related capabilities. (2) Destroying Iran’s defense industrial base. (3) Dismantling its navy and air force, not even close to a nuclear air force. and always be in a position where the US can respond quickly and forcefully to such a situation if it occurs (5) Top-level protection for our allies in the Middle East, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and others,” Trump said.
He also called for the protection of the Strait of Hormuz and offered American support to countries that volunteer.
