Iran on Thursday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's claim of "swift, decisive and overwhelming victories” in the conflict, dismissing his remarks as a declaration of a false victory.
In a nationally televised address on Wednesday night, Trump said that the U.S. military was nearing completion of operational objectives. In his speech, Trump declared "swift, decisive, overwhelming victories" on the battlefield, claiming that Iran was "essentially decimated" both militarily and economically.
Over the next two to three weeks, Trump said, the United States would intensify operations in Iran, aiming to permanently disable its ability to project power outside its own borders.
Trump's speech has sparked condemnations inside Iran. Former Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed Trump's 22-minute address as empty talk lacking any substance. Zarif said that the resilience of the Iranian people has shattered Trump's illusion of forcing Iran into an unconditional surrender within three days.
Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued a stark warning, saying that the U.S. and Israel should not delude themselves into believing they have destroyed Iran's strategic missile production centers, drones, or electronic warfare systems.
Iran's Tasnim news agency published a commentary highlighting the U.S. failure to achieve its initial strategic objectives. According to the agency, the U.S. original goals were to overthrow the Iranian political system to install a compliant government, dismantle Iran's defense and nuclear capabilities, and seize control of the Strait of Hormuz so that Iran would no longer be able to challenge U.S. and Israeli hegemony in the Middle East. But, after more than a month, those goals had not been achieved, the commentary added.
Shortly after Trump's speech, Israel said it had again detected a missile attack launched from Iran. The reported strike was the fourth such Iranian attack detected on Thursday.
The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 34th day on Thursday. On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by firing missiles into Israel and attacking U.S. assets in the Gulf region.
Iran dismisses Trump's claim of 'victories'
