Trump Claims 85% of Iran Military Destroyed, Defends Hegseth
The president cited 301% inflation and 158 submerged ships as evidence the war is ending, while dismissing a Republican impeachment bid.
By Diego Mendoza ·
President Donald Trump declared the military campaign against Iran effectively over on Monday, arguing that further strikes are no longer required. Speaking at an unscheduled White House briefing, he stated that American forces remain ready to resume operations if conditions worsen, but current pressure is being maintained at the request of regional neighbors.
Trump provided specific metrics to support his claim that Iran’s military capability has been largely neutralized. He said 158 Iranian ships are underwater and 268 aircraft are scattered across runways. The president estimated that 85 percent of the Iranian military’s capabilities have been destroyed. He also cited an inflation rate of 301 percent in Iran and noted that military personnel are currently unpaid. He did not offer independent verification for these figures during the press conference.
The administration is maintaining a naval blockade and a new initiative called Task Force Iron Gate to restrict Iranian supply routes. Trump emphasized that three aircraft carriers are deployed in or arriving in the Middle East. He also highlighted increased production of Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems and Tomahawk cruise missiles. He argued that the campaign is justified by the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, even as lower energy costs benefit political opponents.
Trump spent a portion of the briefing defending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth against an impeachment effort introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie. The president dismissed Massie as a loser and criticized his voting record on Republican legislation. Trump argued that Hegseth deserves recognition for winning wars in Venezuela and Iran, contrasting these outcomes with American engagements in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He stated that military recruitment has improved and that soldiers respect the secretary.
During a confrontational exchange with a CNN reporter, Trump reiterated his support for Hegseth. He said that soldiers and patriots love the Defense Secretary and that he has done a very good job. The president maintained that Hegseth’s leadership is sound despite the political challenges facing the administration.
Trump also addressed allegations involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and a woman suspected of ties to Chinese intelligence. He said he spoke to Huang earlier that day and expressed surprise at the reports. Trump described Huang as an honorable man and a high-quality person he has known for a long time. He stated that the FBI is examining the matter and that he believes Huang will be in good shape. He denied knowing about the alleged intelligence connections during his May visit to China, saying Huang told him he was unaware the person was a spy.
In other remarks, Trump questioned the results of the Alaska Senate race, alleging that candidate Dan Sullivan was fraudulently put in the race to confuse voters. He defended White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, describing him as smart, tough, and fair. The briefing ended with a lighter moment involving UFC President Dana White, who was present at the White House. Trump joked that he had offered White the position of White House press secretary. White said he had zero political aspirations but did not explicitly tell the president no.
