US President Donald Trump has described the ongoing US-Israel operations against Iran as a “short-term excursion,” asserting that American forces are far ahead of initial projections and warning Tehran against further provocations.
Speaking CBS News, Trump said the military campaign “is very complete, pretty much.
They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force.” He added that the US military has exceeded its original four-to-five-week timeline for wrapping up operations.
On Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump declined to send any message, but hinted at having a replacement in mind without providing further details.
He also commented on the Strait of Hormuz, stating that ships are moving through but suggesting he was “thinking about taking it over.”
“They’ve shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute or it’s going to be the end of that country,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a “frank and constructive” call with Trump to discuss the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.
Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said the leaders focused on finding a “quick political and diplomatic end to the Iranian conflict,” including outreach with Gulf states, the Iranian leadership, and other global actors.
The call also touched on Venezuela and the stability of global oil markets.
Iranian officials have signaled a willingness to cooperate with neighbouring countries. President Masoud Pezeshkian told Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Tehran is ready to form a joint investigative team into alleged missile attacks on Turkiye, emphasizing that US and Israeli actions are attempting to sow discord in the region.
Erdogan offered condolences for the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the attack, welcomed Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new leader, and reaffirmed Turkiye’s commitment to diplomacy over confrontation.
In Europe, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed that decisions on the deployment of British forces rest solely with the British government.
Speaking in London, Starmer defended his stance of denying the US use of UK bases for offensive strikes against Iran, permitting only defensive measures.
“That’s a fundamental principle – that the UK prime minister would make the decisions, using our values, our principles, in the best interests of our country,” he said.
The remarks by Trump, Putin, Pezeshkian, Erdogan, and Starmer highlight the growing interplay of military operations, diplomatic negotiations, and regional tensions as nations seek to balance security objectives with international stability in the Middle East.
