OMM Newsroom
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States could end its war with Iran now, but wants to ensure the outcome lasts. Anadolu Agency reported his remarks at a rally in South Carolina.
“It’ll end very soon. We could leave now, but we want to make sure it lasts for a long time,” Trump said.
He claimed the United States had defeated Iran militarily and financially, and said Tehran would “never have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump also said the United States had imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which he called the “Trump Strait.”
“We changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico. Why can’t we change the name of the Hormuz Strait?” he added.
His remarks came as “The New York Times” reported that the US and Israeli militaries had drawn up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections. The newspaper cited US officials and others briefed on the discussions.
The report said it was far from certain that Trump would approve the strikes, noting that he had repeatedly vetoed plans to return to major combat this year. A White House official told the newspaper that the administration does not comment on military plans “that may or may not exist.”
The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks in the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.
A memorandum of understanding signed by the United States and Iran in June following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar has since stalled amid disagreements, including over navigation in the strait.
