President Donald Trump asserted that military operations in Iran are “very successful,” claiming the destruction of Iran’s naval, air, and air defense systems. He made the statement Tuesday at the White House alongside visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to reports from the Associated Press.
“We’ve had tremendous success,” Trump said. “They don’t have a navy, it’s been destroyed. They don’t have an air force, it’s been destroyed. They don’t have air defense systems – it’s been destroyed.”
Despite these claims, Trump acknowledged continued Iranian missile launches toward neighboring countries in the Gulf region, stating that U.S. Forces are targeting Iranian launch facilities in response. The remarks came after the U.S. And Israel initiated a series of strikes within Iran following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous high-ranking officials in “Operation Epic Fury.”
The visit by Chancellor Merz marks the first by a European leader to the White House since the commencement of the operations in Iran, according to the German government. The meeting occurred as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and General Dan Caine prepared to brief the Senate and House of Representatives on the attacks.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing scrutiny from the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding fatal shootings linked to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities.
Reports indicate that approximately 300 Iranian citizens have sought refuge in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, a region bordering Iran and known for separatist insurgencies. This displacement follows the recent escalation of conflict, according to the BBC.
Tuesday too saw elections taking place in Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina, occurring alongside the unfolding international developments.