US President Donald Trump described Iran as a "tough, smart country" while asserting that its military capacity had been severely reduced. "And against a very tough, smart country.
These people were fighters, and you know, I don't want to claim it before the fact, but they (Iran) have no Navy left. 158 ships at the bottom of the sea. 158, think of it," Trump said.
Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Nevada , Trump said we did not want to go to war with Iran, but that it became necessary, he added the situation with Iran is moving toward a positive conclusion.
He claimed that 111 missiles were fired at a U.S. naval ship, all of which were intercepted and destroyed, preventing the attack.
He added that the United States has the world’s strongest military, is continuing to improve its capabilities, and that the war with Iran is being fought due to Iran’s nuclear program, which he said must be addressed.
Trump said economic disruptions were caused by Iran and compared the conflict to the long wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Trump also said the next meeting between the US and Iran may take place over the weekend, adding to optimism that the Iran war could be nearing an end.
Trump said Iran had offered not to possess nuclear weapons for more than 20 years. Tehran's nuclear ambitions were a sticking point at talks in Islamabad last weekend.
Trump hints at possible Pakistan visit
"We're going to see what happens. But I think we're very close to making a deal with Iran," he told reporters outside the White House. Reports had said that while the US proposed a 20 year pause to Iran's nuclear programme at Islamabad talks, while Iran had counter proposed a pause of five years.
As Trump's latest remarks are setting off hopes for an end to the Middle East war, Trump also hinted at a possibility that he might visit Pakistan to finalise the peace deal with Iran.
The US President heaped praise on Pakistan when a reporter asked him if he would visit the country to seal the deal with Iran. “I would. I would go to Pakistan, yeah. Pakistan has been great. They've been so good. Islamabad, I'll be, I might go. Yeah. If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go,” he said.
US-Iran war began on February 28 with a US -Israeli attack and thousands have been killed since then. Oil prices have also surged, creating a major political headache for the US president.
Israel-Lebanon ceasefire starts
A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect on Thursday after last week's strikes on Lebanon caused massive loss of lives and widespread destruction. The attacks also threatened the fragile truce between Iran and the US as Iran termed the strikes as ceasefire violation.
