United States President Donald Trump on Thursday said the ongoing war against Iran is advancing “very rapidly,” while the country’s new leader vowed resistance in his first public address.
Speaking at the White House during a Women’s History Month programme alongside First Lady Melania Trump, Trump praised the performance of the US military in the conflict.
“The situation with Iran is moving along very rapidly. It’s doing very well, our military is unsurpassed,” Trump said.
The US president also described Iran as “a nation of terror and hate,” claiming the country was now paying a heavy price as the war continues.
In recent days, Trump has offered mixed assessments of the conflict. At different times, he has suggested that the United States had already achieved victory and that the war could end soon, while also insisting that military operations must continue.
Meanwhile, Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed retaliation in his first message since assuming the role. He also warned that Iran would maintain a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
The tension has already disrupted tanker traffic through the strategic waterway, causing global oil prices to surge.
Despite the economic impact, Trump earlier said on social media that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a top priority for the United States.
