Trump Suggests Swift End to Iran Conflict While Issuing Oil Threat
As oil prices surged due to the escalating war with Iran, former President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the conflict could be over "very soon," while issuing a stark warning to Tehran against cutting off global energy supplies. During consecutive appearances in Florida, Trump asserted that the United States had undertaken a "little excursion" to the Middle East "to get rid of some evil," indicating the war, now in its second week, was progressing ahead of schedule and nearing completion.
Economic Measures and Oil Sanctions
With the economic impact of the joint US-Israeli operation intensifying, Trump hinted at potentially lifting oil sanctions against certain nations to alleviate price pressures. The US Treasury has already granted a 30-day waiver permitting India to purchase Russian oil from stranded tankers at sea. Addressing reporters, Trump emphasized that the US would not allow Iran to "hold the world hostage" over oil, vowing, "We will hit them so hard that it will not be possible for them, or anybody else helping them, to ever recover that section of the world if they do anything."
Controversy Over School Strike
Trump faced questions regarding a strike that hit an Iranian elementary school in Minab, resulting in numerous casualties, including many children. Video evidence and analysis by the investigative group Bellingcat, corroborated by munitions experts, indicate the missile used was a US Tomahawk, targeting an adjacent Islamic Revolutionary Guards naval compound. When pressed, Trump suggested without evidence that Iran or "somebody else" might be responsible, stating, "It's something that I was told is under investigation, but Tomahawks are used by others. As you know, numerous other nations have Tomahawks. They buy them from us." He later admitted, "Because I just don't know enough about it," when asked why he implicated Iran, a claim unsupported by his administration. The strike destroyed approximately half the school, killing dozens of girls aged seven to twelve during morning classes. Trump remarked he was "willing to live" with whatever the investigation concludes.
Boasts and Rationales for War
During his Florida appearances, Trump praised the success of Operation Epic Fury, launched on 28 February alongside Israel, telling House Republicans at his Miami golf resort, "We've already won in many ways, but we haven't won enough. We go forward, more determined than ever to achieve ultimate victory that will end this long-running danger once and for all." He dismissed Democratic criticisms about the lack of a clear rationale for US-Israeli military action, asserting, "I'll give you the best reason of all. Within a week, they would've attacked us, 100%. They were ready." However, he provided no new evidence to back this pre-emptive strike claim, only noting Iran possessed "all these missiles – far more than anyone thought."
Trump later explained his belief that Iran intended to attack the US, based on intelligence from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law. "I thought if we didn't do this at the time we did it, I think they had in mind to attack us," he said. The administration has offered varied justifications for the war, from nuclear threats to regime change, struggling to present a consistent narrative to the public and Congress.
Comments on Iran's Leadership
Trump avoided directly answering whether Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's newly appointed supreme leader, was a target, expressing disappointment with his selection following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US and Israeli strikes. Previously dismissing Khamenei as a "lightweight" and calling his appointment a mistake, Trump told NBC News, "I don't know if it's going to last." At the war's outset, he urged Iranians to "seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country," while Israel has stated it will target the new supreme leader.
Reflections on Fallen Soldiers
In his remarks, Trump briefly recounted meeting families of soldiers killed in the conflict during a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base over the weekend. He shared that the families told him, "'Make sure you win, sir. Make sure you win.'" This emotional moment underscored the human cost of the ongoing military engagement.
