President of the USA, Donald Trump, persists in statements regarding the obliteration of Iran, leaving open even the prospect of unleashing a new wave of American bombings after the midterm elections of November.
In an interview granted to TIME at the White House on September 28, the American president presented an image of total military superiority of the USA over Iran, claiming that American operations have destroyed the nuclear capabilities of Tehran, as well as a significant portion of its military infrastructure.
«Yes, I would do it. It is possible»
Asked about his previous threat that he could «obliterate» Iran, Trump replied: «Yes, I would do it. It is possible».
When the journalist of TIME pressed him on how such a threat aligns with his image as a «peace president», Trump insisted on the logic of overwhelming military force.
«By obliterating Iran, we created peace in the world», he claimed, adding that with Iran «I do not think you could ever have peace». He argued that Iran cannot acquire nuclear power because, as he said, «they are crazy» and you cannot allow «crazy people» to possess nuclear weapons.
«Possible» new wave of bombings after elections
Trump was also asked whether he is considering increasing bombings after the midterm elections of November. His response was single-worded: «Possible».
When the journalist pressed whether the option is indeed on the table, the American president declined to disclose specific targets, but clearly left open the prospect of new military operations.
«We have many weapons», he stated, arguing that the USA has stockpiles for approximately six months. Trump simultaneously criticized the previous Biden administration, claiming that it handed over massive quantities of munitions to Ukraine, while insisting that the USA is currently in a far better condition and that new munitions production plants are being built across the country.
«We destroyed the nuclear capability of Iran»
Trump argued that the initial military operation against Iran had a clear objective: to deprive Tehran of the capability to acquire a nuclear weapon. According to him, American strikes destroyed the nuclear capability of Iran, but not only that.
The American president claimed that the USA also destroyed a large part of the Iranian navy, air force, and radar systems, while further alleging that American military action resulted in the sinking of 159 Iranian vessels.
In parallel, he spoke of an economic collapse of Iran, arguing that inflation has reached approximately 300% and that the economy of the country has essentially disintegrated.
Trump maintained that the American military campaign was far more extensive than the initial plan. As he said, it had originally been estimated that the operation would last six to eight weeks. That timeframe, according to him, was observed, but he decided to proceed further.
«Iran wants a deal, but I want a real deal»
Despite threats of a new war, Trump insisted that the diplomatic path remains open. He argued that Tehran wants a deal with Washington, but emphasized that he will not accept an agreement he deems inadequate. «I want a real deal», was his message.
The American president revealed that he rejected a recent Iranian ceasefire proposal, considering that it was not good enough.
According to his description, the proposal provided, among other things, for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which was not deemed sufficient by the American side.
This development assumes particular importance, as Washington has linked pressure on Tehran to control of the critical maritime route.
«We essentially shut down the Strait of Hormuz»
One of the most important points of the interview was the reference by Trump to the Strait of Hormuz.
The American president claimed that Iran threatened its closure, but in his view the reality is that the USA has essentially reversed the situation. «We essentially shut it down to them», he claimed.
At the same time, he stated that very heavy oil traffic had been recorded through the Strait, maintaining that on the previous night a record level in oil transport was achieved.
This reference is directly linked to the economic aspect of the conflict. Trump estimated that if a deal is reached with Iran, oil prices will retreat significantly. He even cited gasoline prices in the USA during his election campaign as an example, claiming that in regions such as Iowa they stood at around 1.85 to 1.99 dollars per gallon.
«We had to take the nuclear weapons from Iran»
Trump presented the military intervention as a necessary choice.
He argued that Washington could not permit Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon and that this was the fundamental reason why he decided to move forward. In the same interview, he insisted that Tehran had the capability to cause far greater instability if it acquired nuclear capabilities.
He even connected the decision to his broader claim that the military power of the USA is what can impose peace in the Middle East.
The «bloodshed»
At another point in the interview, when the journalist asked him about civilians and innocent people in Iran, Trump invoked the number of people that, as he claimed, the Iranian regime has killed. He spoke of 72,000 to 75,000 protesters and innocent people who, according to him, were killed in recent months.
He characterized the situation as a «bloodbath» and used that figure to argue that American military action must be viewed within the context of the violence that, according to him, the Iranian regime has exerted against the population.
Trump was also asked whether he regrets not intervening earlier during the demonstrations of January. He responded negatively, maintaining that the USA has done an «incredible job» and that Tehran continues to seek a deal.
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