Trump Labels Those Saying US Lost in Iran as Traitors
US President Donald Trump has vented his frustration over statements from several individuals claiming that “the US lost the war against Iran”. Trump considers those who say such things to be “traitors”.
detikcom summarises, Saturday (2/5/2026), that the defeat statement was issued by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. The US is said to have suffered a humiliating defeat.
“Today, two months after the largest military deployment and aggression by the world’s disruptors in this region, and the humiliating defeat of the United States in its plans, a new chapter is underway for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” said Khamenei in a message read on state television, as reported by AFP on Thursday (30/4).
Khamenei’s message, his first public appearance since his appointment on 9 March as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, was delivered during the annual national celebration of Persian Gulf Day in Iran.
Mojtaba Khamenei became Supreme Leader after the US and Israel launched a massive attack campaign against Iran on 28 February, which killed his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei.
Last week, The New York Times quoted several unnamed Iranian officials saying that the young Khamenei was “severely injured” in the attack but remains “sharp-minded”.
In his message on Thursday (30/4), he stated that US bases in the region “do not even have the capacity to ensure their own security, let alone offer hope for securing their allies”.
He praised what he called Iran’s “new legal framework and management” over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a major energy flashpoint, as a way to bring “comfort and progress” to countries in the region.
The strait has been a main point of conflict since the outbreak of the Middle East war, with Iran allowing only a few ships to pass through the waterway.
Trump Annoyed at Being Called Losers
Most recently, Trump said that if anyone thinks the US did not win the war with Iran, then that person is committing treason. Trump spoke about people’s opinions on the US during its war with Iran.
“We get statements from the radical left group, ‘We’re not winning, we’re not winning.’ They no longer have military strength. It’s unbelievable. Actually, I believe it’s treason, okay. You want to know the truth - it’s treason,” said Trump in his speech at The Villages, Florida, as reported by CNN on Saturday (2/5).
Trump said he does not want to speak too soon about victory in Iran. Because, according to him, the war is not truly over yet.
“We’re almost as good in Iran. But I don’t like talking about it until the job is done,” said Trump, without acknowledging the clear differences between the two conflicts.
Trump is known to have repeatedly stated that the US has destroyed Iran’s navy and emphasised the “genius” of the US blockade against ships entering and leaving Iranian ports. However, Iran still maintains its influence over the Strait of Hormuz.