Trump considers gradual reduction of attacks on Iran

Washington (ANTARA) - United States President Donald Trump on Friday (20/3) said he is considering a “gradual reduction” of US military strikes against Iran. “We are very close to achieving our objectives as we consider a gradual reduction of our major military efforts in the Middle East,” Trump said on Truth Social regarding Iran. The objectives outlined by Trump include weakening Iran’s missile capabilities, destroying its defence industrial base, crippling its navy and air force, preventing it from approaching nuclear capability, and protecting US allies across the region. On the same Friday afternoon, Trump also said he does not want a ceasefire with Iran. “We can talk, but you know, I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You don’t do a ceasefire when you are really crippling the opponent,” Trump told reporters before departing the White House for Florida. He said from a military perspective, Iran is finished because it has no navy and air force. He also assessed that the country lacks equipment, reconnaissance, anti-aircraft defence systems, and radar. “And their leaders at all levels have been killed,” Trump said. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday on platform X questioned the White House’s repeated claims that Iran’s air defence and Navy have been destroyed. “The US government says one thing, reality says another,” Araghchi said. Trump also said on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial sea lane for global energy, should be secured by countries that depend on it, and Washington will help if asked. “The Strait of Hormuz must be guarded and monitored, if necessary, by other Countries that use it – not the US! If asked, we will help those Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but that should not be necessary after the Iranian threat is eradicated,” Trump said. Previously, Trump criticised NATO allies as “cowards” for their reluctance to assist with escort duties. “Without the US, NATO IS JUST A PAPER TIGER!” Trump said in a previous post on Truth Social. The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Monday (16/3) said that Europe has no interest in an endless prolonged war, responding to the US-Israel war with Iran. “This is not Europe’s war, but Europe’s interests are directly at stake,” Kallas said. The US and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran on 28 February, which disrupted global shipping, caused oil prices to surge, and shook the world economy.