// truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump
President Trump made these statements against the backdrop of news that the U.S. is increasing its military presence in the Middle East, which may indicate preparations for a possible ground operation, despite his previous claims that such an option is off the table.
“I am convinced that we have already won,” Trump said while speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, where he was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“I have no intention of concluding a truce. You understand that ceasefire agreements are not signed when the enemy is essentially destroyed,” he continued, emphasizing that Iran no longer has a navy, air force, equipment, or leaders.
However, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains tense: Iran has effectively blocked this key route, causing a sharp rise in global oil prices and leading to delays for many commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf.
According to information from U.S. media, including NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, additional U.S. Marine units are being deployed to the region, and there is consideration of increasing troop numbers in the Middle East.
The Axios publication reported that the Trump administration is exploring plans to occupy or blockade the Iranian island of Khark, which is a crucial point for the export of Iranian oil. This, Washington hopes, will apply pressure on Tehran and lead to the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz.
Previously, the U.S. had already struck this island, with Trump emphasizing that the attacks were aimed at military facilities, not oil infrastructure, which, according to Iranian authorities, did not cause any damage.
In response to an AFP correspondent's request to comment on the current situation, Trump stated, “I may have a plan, or I may not.” He also added that the U.S. could “destroy” this oil hub at any moment if it wished.
On the same day, Trump again criticized NATO countries, which he believes have not responded adequately to his calls for help in ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Without U.S. support, NATO is just a paper tiger! They do not want to engage in battle with nuclear Iran. Now that military victory has already been achieved, it poses no danger to them. They complain about high oil prices but do not want to help open the Strait of Hormuz. It is so easy to do with minimal risk. COWARDS, and we will remember this!” he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
Several hours after his statements, Britain announced that it had allowed the U.S. to use its military bases for attacks on Iranian targets that pose a threat to the Strait of Hormuz.
Previously, London had already granted permission for U.S. forces to use its bases to prevent the launch of Iranian missiles threatening British property and citizens, and after Friday's meeting, it was decided to expand this permission to protect vessels in the strait.
As reported to BBC correspondents from Downing Street, Britain does not plan to participate directly in the strikes, and the core principles of its approach to the conflict remain unchanged.
Trump, commenting on Britain's reaction, called it belated. “Honestly, I was surprised by Britain's behavior—they should have acted much faster,” he said, previously criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a lack of readiness to help in the early stages of the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in turn, noted that Starmer's decision endangers the lives of British citizens and warned that Iran “will exercise its right to self-defense.”
“Most Britons do not support involvement in a war between Israel and the U.S. against Iran. Ignoring the opinion of his people, Mr. Starmer is endangering the lives of Britons by allowing bases to be used for aggression against Iran,” he wrote on social media X.
Additionally, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reported that Araghchi had a phone conversation with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, in which he expressed the opinion that any assistance provided by Britain to the U.S. would lead to an escalation of the conflict.
