US President Donald Trump declared that the United States has won its military campaign against Iran but will not withdraw its forces until all strategic objectives are complete. Speaking at a midterm election rally in Hebron, Kentucky, on March 11, Trump outlined the severe impact of a military campaign dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” on Iranian defense infrastructure since the conflict escalated in late February.
The administration claims the US military paralyzed Iran’s armed forces within the first hour of the operation. The ongoing offensive, which began on February 28, has systematically targeted Iranian air defense, naval capabilities, and nuclear sites, prompting emergency responses from global energy markets and the United Nations Security Council.
Addressing the timeline of the deployment, Trump explicitly stated, “We don’t want to leave early,” vowing to maintain the military presence until the operation is completely finished.
During the address, Trump provided specific metrics regarding the destruction of Iranian military assets over the initial 11 days of the campaign. He asserted that 90 percent of Iran’s missile capabilities and 85 percent of its drone fleet have been destroyed, leaving the nation with no functioning air force or radar systems.
The naval conflict has heavily impacted the strategic shipping lanes of the Middle East. Trump stated that the Iranian navy was sunk, adding that 31 Iranian mine-laying vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz were wiped out in a single night.
The military strikes also targeted Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump claimed that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been wiped off the face of the earth. He alleged that Tehran had been preparing to seize the Middle East and eliminate Israel prior to the US intervention.
Despite the victory declaration, regional hostilities remain active. Tehran recently struck at least six vessels in the Gulf region and deployed mines in the Strait of Hormuz. On March 11, the UN Security Council issued a resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on Gulf states.
The broader military campaign involves coordinated efforts with allied nations. On March 17, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed that Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, was killed in an airstrike on Tehran as Israel continues a wave of strikes on Iranian regime infrastructure.
To address volatile global energy markets disrupted by the conflict, the US government initiated a massive release of strategic oil reserves. Trump announced the release of 172 million barrels of oil from the 415-million-barrel US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which began the week of March 16, promising that oil prices will plummet as the threat in the region is neutralized.