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Trump Declares Victory Over Iran — But Says the Fight Isn’t Over Yet

U.S. President Donald Trump told supporters in Hebron, Kentucky that the United States had already “won” its conflict with Iran, even as military operations continue. Speaking at a campaign-style rally, Trump argued that the outcome of the confrontation was effectively decided in its earliest phase, though he emphasized that American forces would remain engaged to complete their objectives.

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Trump said it is usually risky to declare victory too soon in a conflict, but insisted the situation was different in this case. According to the president, U.S. military actions quickly overwhelmed Iranian capabilities. He told the crowd that “within the first hour” the direction of the conflict was already clear, suggesting that early operations had dramatically shifted the balance of power.

During the speech, Trump also claimed that U.S. forces had sunk 58 Iranian naval vessels in the course of the fighting. He described the action as a decisive strike that significantly weakened Iran’s military presence. The president did not present specific evidence for the figure, but said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of the American military.

While highlighting what he described as major battlefield successes, Trump signaled that Washington is not ready to bring the conflict to a close. He told supporters that leaving the fight too early could undermine the strategic gains already achieved. Instead, he argued that the United States must remain involved until its broader objectives are fully secured.

“We don’t want to leave too early,” Trump said, emphasizing that the mission should be completed before the United States steps back. His remarks reflected a balancing act between declaring victory and maintaining pressure on Iran, as the administration seeks to avoid a scenario where hostilities flare up again in the near future.

Trump went further by claiming that U.S. strikes had “almost completely destroyed” Iran’s military capacity. The statement appeared aimed at reassuring supporters that the campaign has significantly weakened Tehran’s ability to project power. Analysts note that such claims are difficult to verify independently during an active conflict.

Beyond the military dimension, Trump also addressed economic concerns during interviews surrounding the rally. He suggested that the United States could adjust its Strategic Petroleum Reserve to influence energy prices. By releasing some oil from reserves, he said, the administration hopes to ease fuel costs while maintaining the country’s overall energy security.

According to reports cited by CNN, global energy markets remain sensitive to the conflict. At around midday on March 11, Brent crude prices were hovering near 91 dollars per barrel. The ongoing tensions with Iran continue to shape market expectations and add uncertainty to global energy supplies.

Iran rejects ceasefire as UAE, U.S. Embassy in Iraq come under heavy attack
Iran Rejects Ceasefire as UAE, U.S. Embassy in Iraq Come Under Heavy Attack On day 18 of the Middle East conflict, Iran escalated its response to U.S. and Israeli actions, launching intense strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting American bases, while declaring it will not agree to a ceasefire and demanding compensation from Washington. Israeli media reported that by early afternoon March 17 (local time), Iran had carried out six waves of ballistic missile attacks on Israeli territory. Most missiles reportedly carried cluster munitions, causing widespread impact. No casualties have been confirmed, but initial reports indicate property damage across central Israel. Beyond Israel, Iran has intensified attacks on U.S.-linked targets in the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates remains a primary target. The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 10 ballistic missiles and 45 drones in just half a day on March 17. Since the conflict began on February 28, the UAE has intercepted a total of 314 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,672 UAVs launched from Iran. Smoke rises following suspected Iranian missile strikes. (Photo: Reuters) In Iraq, security officials confirmed that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was hit by a heavy barrage of rockets and drones early the same day. Footage circulating on social media showed a large fire inside the compound as air defense systems engaged incoming threats. No casualties or damage assessments have been officially confirmed, and it remains unclear whether the हमला was carried out directly by Iran or by allied militias. A senior Iranian official said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has rejected mediation proposals aimed at de-escalation or a ceasefire with the U.S. In his first foreign policy stance since taking power, Khamenei reportedly adopted a hardline position, stating it is “not the right time for peace” until the U.S. and Israel “accept defeat and pay compensation.” Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that overnight airstrikes on Tehran killed Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, along with Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made a similar statement earlier in the day. However, these claims have not been confirmed by Iranian officials or independent sources. Rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel amid the broader U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. (Photo: Reuters) The U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, more than eight months after a previous 12-day conflict in June 2025. Some reports estimate the current campaign has resulted in over 20,000 casualties, including nearly 1,400 deaths, and displaced more than 3 million people. A new report from the World Food Programme warns that if the conflict continues through June 2026, an additional 45 million people worldwide could face severe hunger.