Trump says Iranian regime survival would be defeat
US President Donald Trump said in a radio interview that the Iranian regime remaining in power by the end of his term would be a defeat, and suggested possible military action. Iran claimed it struck a US radar in Bahrain and a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would consider it a defeat if the Iranian regime remains in power by the time his term ends in two years, and suggested that the US could resume its military offensive if he deems it fit. Trump's comments came during a radio interview with conservative host Hugh Hewitt, who asked if the regime still being in power when Trump leaves office would be a defeat. Trump confirmed, 'yes, that would be a defeat. I would say that would be a defeat. Absolutely.' Earlier in the interview, Trump said he would not hesitate to use military force to stop Iran from terrorizing allies and ships, but added that he did not see a need for it now, claiming the US 'totally' controls the Strait of Hormuz despite near-daily attacks on vessels. Meanwhile, on Friday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had targeted a US early warning radar system in Bahrain, and that a tanker carrying liquefied natural gas struck a naval mine in the strait. There was no immediate confirmation from the US or Bahrain. At least 10 ships were hit in the first 10 days of November, after 37 attacks in October, according to data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.