Middle East crisis: Trump says US 'close to meeting objectives', opposes ceasefire with Iran

US President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States was nearing its military objectives in the Middle East while firmly ruling out a ceasefire in the conflict with Iran.“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, outlining goals including degrading Iran’s missile capabilities, dismantling its defence industrial base and preventing it from achieving nuclear capability.

Listing out the goals he added, " (1) Completely degrading Iranian Missile Capability, Launchers, and everything else pertaining to them. (2) Destroying Iran’s Defense Industrial Base. (3) Eliminating their Navy and Air Force, including Anti Aircraft Weaponry. (4) Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability, and always being in a position where the U.S.A. can quickly and powerfully react to such a situation, should it take place.

(5) Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others."He also indicated that responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz should shift away from Washington. “The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not!” he said, adding that the US would assist if required.

Meanwhile, earlier, speaking to reporters at the White House alongside Marco Rubio, Trump rejected calls for a ceasefire. “I don't want to do a ceasefire. You know you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side,” he said, adding, “I think we have won.”His remarks came as the US deployed additional Marines to the Middle East, signalling a possible expansion of military options, even as Washington maintained it does not currently plan to send ground troops into Iran.