Trump says US destroyed ‘long-sought’ targets in Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump said American forces had destroyed multiple “long-sought” targets across Iran, while also insisting that direct and indirect contacts with Tehran were still moving forward.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said it had been a “big day in Iran” and praised the U.S. military after claiming several valuable and long-term targets had been hit. His remarks came as the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran entered another tense phase marked by continued airstrikes and military pressure.

Speaking separately to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Washington was talking to Iran both “directly and indirectly” and described those contacts as going “very well.” He said he was “almost certain” a deal could still be reached, although he acknowledged there was no guarantee of an agreement.

In a separate interview with the Financial Times, Trump also repeated that he wanted to take control of Iran’s oil resources and said the United States could potentially move on Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. He also acknowledged that such a step could pull American forces into a longer-term presence in the region.

The latest comments highlight the dual-track strategy Trump has used throughout the crisis; escalating military threats while simultaneously presenting diplomacy as still possible. Analysts say that mix of coercion and negotiation appears aimed at forcing Tehran toward concessions without fully closing the door to a settlement.

The war has already expanded far beyond military targets, with pressure building on energy routes, oil infrastructure and regional shipping. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the confrontation, and any further escalation involving Iranian export facilities could deepen instability across global energy markets.

At the same time, questions remain over how much damage the strikes have actually inflicted on Iran’s broader military capacity. Recent reporting has suggested that while important targets have been hit, some of Washington’s larger war objectives may still be only partially achieved.

For now, Trump’s remarks suggest the White House is trying to keep both pressure and diplomacy in play at the same time. But as the conflict continues, the gap between battlefield escalation and a workable political settlement remains wide.

The post Trump says US destroyed ‘long-sought’ targets in Iran appeared first on Khaama Press.