Donald Trump Claims Iran Goals Met, Threatens to ‘Obliterate’ Tehran Power Plants

Donald Trump on Sunday lashed out at a political analyst who claimed that he had not met his goals in Iran, asserting instead that the United States had achieved its objectives ahead of schedule.

"The United States has blown Iran off of the map, and yet their lightweight analyst, David Sanger, says that I haven't met my own goals,” Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

According to The New York Times, Trump has claimed progress in the war even as his objectives appear to shift.

The report said that as the U.S.-Israeli airstrike campaign began last month, the administration aimed to create conditions for regime change in Tehran and to eliminate Iran’s stockpile of nuclear fuel.

The New York Times also reported that fuel was being sold in the United States for $4 per gallon, while the Pentagon sought $200 billion to replenish its ammunition.

Trump later said the United States was "very close" to meeting its objectives.

The report noted that his Friday post appeared to scale back earlier goals, focusing instead on weakening Iran’s military and defence capabilities while pledging to protect U.S. allies in West Asia.

"He maintained that the United States was "getting very close to meeting our objectives" and left the issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to other countries that use it, claiming the United States does not.

"If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated," he said, the report added.

Trump also repeated claims that Iran wants a deal but said he is not interested, while Iranian officials have rejected talks following the February 28 attacks.

Trump on Saturday threatened to "obliterate" Iran’s power plants if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" he said.

The threat came as the conflict entered a more dangerous phase. Israeli officials said Iranian forces had for the first time fired long-range missiles, expanding the risk of attacks beyond the Middle East.

What did Eyal Zamir reveal about Iran’s missile range threatening European capitals?

Eyal Zamir said Iran launched two 4,000-kilometer-range ballistic missiles at the U.S.-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

The Israeli military described it as the first such use of long-range missiles since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28.

"These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals - Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range," Zamir said in a statement.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll. More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran since the attacks began, while 15 people have died in Israel due to Iranian strikes.

Late Saturday, Iranian missiles struck the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, injuring dozens of people, including children.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted "military installations" and security centers in southern Israel.

Israeli army spokesperson Effie Defrin said the country’s air defenses were operational but did not intercept the strikes. "We will investigate the incident and learn from it," he said.

Israel’s nuclear reactor lies about 13 kilometers southeast of Dimona, and both cities are located near key military sites including Nevatim Air Base.

How did Benjamin Netanyahu react to the attacks near Dimona and Arad?

Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as severe following the strike on Arad. "This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future," he said in a statement released by his office.

"We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts," the statement said.

On Friday, Trump said the United States would soon wind down its military operations in Iran.

In another Truth Social post, he outlined five objectives, including the destruction of Iranian military infrastructure and facilities, preventing Iran from nearing nuclear capability, and protecting U.S. allies in West Asia such as Israel, the UAE and Qatar.

(With inputs from ANI)