U.S. President Donald Trump, responding to a question about potential military action against Iran, said the nation is effectively destroyed and that recovery would require more than two decades.
“I would prefer not to devastate the remainder of the country, but I may have no choice. You’ll see soon enough,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office after a meeting with his national security advisers.
In October, The New York Times reported that the United States and Israel have prepared detailed plans for renewed strikes on Iran, scheduled after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Trump Casts Doubt on Potential New Iran Strikes
On Monday, the day before the midterm elections, Trump expressed uncertainty about carrying out those plans. When asked by reporters whether he intended to strike Iran after the elections, he answered, “No.”
“We are prepared and ready to act. If we need to complete the mission against Iran, we are fully prepared,” the president said regarding U.S. military readiness.
On Tuesday, Trump stated that the United States has no immediate plans to resume strikes against Iran during an interview with the Financial Times.
The statement came after U.S. strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, following the regime’s claim of downing an American drone, a US official confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Monday.
Regarding ongoing indirect negotiations with Tehran, Trump said on Tuesday, “We appear to be securing everything we want.”
Trump Confirms Readiness for Additional Iran Strikes and Acknowledges War’s Impact on GOP
On Wednesday night, Trump acknowledged that the Iran war had damaged the Republican Party in the congressional midterm elections, yet reaffirmed that, in hindsight, he would have still authorized the war.
“I think that’s largely accurate, as the war contributed to a short‑term increase in fuel prices,” he said when asked if it hurt Republicans. “However, if I had to decide again, I would do so again, because in the long term it remains the only viable solution; Iran must not be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon.”
Responding to reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth might be replaced after the election loss, Trump said he has no plans to replace him, adding, “He’s doing an extraordinary job.”
Trump also addressed remarks by Vice President JD Vance, who attributed the Republicans’ defeat to the war, stating, “Vance is largely correct, and if I’m required to fight Iran again, I will do so to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” he said.
“Yes, there was no alternative,” Trump replied when asked if he chose to wage the war. “I expected oil prices to rise far more, and I based my decision on that assumption.”
“Iran must not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon, or everything we see today could cease to exist,” he said.
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