By DAYO ADESULU
United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s military capability has been largely dismantled following ongoing military operations involving the United States and its allies.
Speaking during a briefing at the White House, Trump said Iran’s key defense structures — including its army, navy, air force and communications systems — have been destroyed, while multiple layers of the country’s military leadership have also been eliminated.
According to the U.S. president, the campaign has crippled Tehran’s ability to wage conventional warfare.
Trump: Iran’s Army, Navy and Air Force ‘Gone’
Trump told reporters that American military operations against Iran have been extremely successful, describing the outcome as far beyond expectations.
“Their army is gone. Their navy is gone. Their communications are gone,” Trump said while assessing the impact of the strikes.
He added that the leadership structure within Iran’s military had suffered major losses.
“Two sets of their leaders are gone — they’re down to their third set,” Trump stated.
Trump also claimed that Iran’s air force had been completely neutralized during the operations.
“Their Air Force is wiped out entirely,” he said, praising the performance of the U.S. military.
Claim: 32 Iranian Warships Destroyed
The U.S. president further alleged that Iran’s naval fleet had been entirely eliminated.
According to Trump, all of the country’s 32 naval vessels have been sunk.
“Think of it — they had 32 ships. All 32 are at the bottom of the ocean,” he said.
Trump described the military campaign as proof of American strength and said global perceptions of the United States had improved as a result of the operation.
“Our military is doing phenomenally,” he added, insisting that the action was necessary after years of attacks blamed on Iranian-backed groups that targeted U.S. personnel.
Escalating War in the Middle East
The remarks come amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East after joint strikes by the United States and Israel targeted Iranian military infrastructure.
The offensive reportedly hit missile sites, naval facilities and command centers across the country.
The conflict has triggered fears of a wider regional war involving several Middle Eastern countries, with missile exchanges and drone attacks spreading beyond Iranian territory.
Meanwhile, Trump has maintained a hardline stance toward Tehran, previously insisting that the only acceptable outcome of the conflict would be Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Questions Over Battlefield Claims
While Trump has described the campaign as a decisive success, independent verification of the full extent of Iran’s military losses remains difficult due to the ongoing conflict and limited access to reliable battlefield information.
Military analysts say such sweeping claims are often difficult to confirm in real time during active warfare.
Nevertheless, the U.S. president continues to portray the operation as one of the most decisive blows ever delivered to Iran’s military structure.
The situation remains fluid as diplomatic efforts and military operations continue across the region.
