In an exclusive interview with CBS News, US President Donald Trump indicated that he is not ready to pull American military forces from ongoing operations aimed at pressuring Iran to reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. His comments, made during a conversation on Tuesday, reflect ongoing frustrations with global allies, emphasizing that they must take responsibility for securing this vital maritime corridor.

This statement follows a recent social media post where Trump urged allies to handle the situation independently. In his remarks, he expressed disappointment over the lack of military contributions from other nations, such as the United Kingdom, to the US-Israeli initiative against Iran. He affirmed, “At some point I will, not quite yet,” signaling that American forces would remain engaged.

Iran Hit Significantly

Trump highlighted that while Iran has been significantly weakened, it is still the duty of other countries to actively participate in maintaining security in the region. “They’re going to have to come in and do their own work,” he noted. In light of ongoing Iranian attacks on maritime shipping and critical infrastructure, the president maintained that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is not as dire as some may perceive, stating, “there’s no real threat” in the area that is crucial for the transport of 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

Trump further suggested that if nations want to ensure their oil supplies, they must take initiative. “If they’re having a hard time getting oil, let them come and take it like they’re supposed to,” he said. He criticised NATO and other allies for not stepping up to the challenge. The president emphasized his desire for these nations to engage actively in the region’s security, remarking, “It’s about time they did something for themselves.”

During his remarks, Trump addressed the rise in fuel prices in the United States, with the national average has rising above USD 4 per gallon for the first time in more than three years. He projected a decrease in prices “when we leave” the region after hostilities wind down. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt supported this view, indicating that gas prices would return to previously low levels once Operation Epic Fury is completed.

Mission Ahead of Timeline

Trump did not specify when military operations would conclude but stated that it “won’t be long.” He claimed that the mission is currently ahead of its timeline and suggested that it was “two weeks ahead of schedule.” Initially, he predicted the conflict would last between four to six weeks, although it has now entered its fifth week.

In his comments, Trump asserted that Iran has lost much of its military capability, stating, “They are down on everything they had. They’re a mess.” He maintained that the objectives have largely been met. “We’ve done our job,” he remarked, pointing to what he described as a “total regime change” leading to a supposedly more amenable leadership in Tehran.

As for the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Trump refrained from commenting on whether a successful outcome could be declared without eliminating Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. He referenced US-Israeli bombings of nuclear facilities last June, describing the sites as “obliterated” and “deeply buried,” arguing that future developments in nuclear capability would be highly challenging for Iran. “It’s down there deep,” he concluded, suggesting that safeguards are in place, while leaving room for future assessments.

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