Trump Declares US is 'Decimating' Iran as Conflict Enters Third Week
President Donald Trump asserted on Sunday that the United States is 'decimating' Iran, as one of his top advisors indicated the war might persist for up to six weeks. The commander-in-chief utilized his Truth Social platform to emphasize American strength in the ongoing hostilities, which officially reached their third week on Saturday.
Economic Advisor Reveals War Timeline and Costs
Kevin Hassett, the National Economic Council Director, disclosed during an interview with CBS' Face the Nation that the United States has already expended $12 billion on the war effort. He explained that daily briefings provide updates on the conflict, with the Department of War estimating the mission could require four to six weeks to complete.
'We are a couple of weeks in and I think that should give you some clarity about when we expect that the president will decide that we've achieved his objectives,' Hassett told host Margaret Brennan.
Trump Accuses Iran of Media Manipulation and AI Disinformation
In his social media post on Sunday evening, President Trump accused Iranian leadership of disseminating false information about their military successes. He labeled Iran as a 'Master of Media Manipulation and Public Relations,' claiming they use artificial intelligence to create deceptive narratives.
'They show phony "Kamikaze Boats" shooting at various Ships at Sea, which looks wonderful, powerful and vicious, but those Boats don't exist - It's all false information to show how "tough" their already defeated Military is!' Trump wrote.
He concluded by stating that Iran is being annihilated, with their only victories fabricated through AI and propagated by corrupt media outlets.
Military Casualties and Recent Attacks
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of thirteen brave US military servicemembers connected to Operation Epic Fury in Iran. This week, six individuals perished when a US KC-135 plane crashed in western Iraq, an incident authorities confirmed occurred in friendly airspace and was not due to hostile fire.
On Saturday, the Iranian military targeted an oil facility in the United Arab Emirates, igniting a fire and suspending operations. This depot exports over 1.7 million barrels per day of crude oil, representing nearly two percent of global daily demand. The assault appeared to retaliate against Trump's prior claims that the US 'obliterated' Iran's Kharg Island.
Strategic Tensions Over the Strait of Hormuz
President Trump has issued warnings regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime choke-point. He asserted that any interference with ship passage would prompt immediate reconsideration of US actions. In response, Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to keep the strait closed.
Iranian officials have threatened to destroy oil and energy infrastructure linked to US firms if American strikes target Iranian oil facilities. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf cautioned that attacks on southern maritime islands could lead Iran to abandon all restraint.
International Appeals and Military Operations
Trump has called upon world leaders, including those from China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, to assist in escorting oil tankers through the Gulf. Meanwhile, US military forces continue to target drone, boat, and missile launch sites in Iranian territory along the north shore of the strait.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that more than 15,000 enemy targets have been struck, aiming to alleviate concerns about the strait's closure. He assured that the situation is being managed effectively, despite Iran firing missiles and drones at multiple countries.
Humanitarian Impact and Ceasefire Stance
The United Nations refugee agency estimates that up to 3.2 million people have been displaced within Iran since the war commenced. President Trump has expressed reluctance to negotiate a ceasefire, stating that Iran desires a deal but the terms are insufficient.
'Iran wants to make a deal, and I don't want to make it because the terms aren't good enough yet,' Trump told NBC News in a Saturday evening phone interview. He hinted that any future agreement would need to address Iran's nuclear ambitions, though specific conditions remain unspecified.
