Middle East crisis: Trump says US ‘close to achieving goal’, opposes ceasefire with Iran

President of the United States Donald Trump The United States said on Friday it was moving closer to its military targets in the Middle East while firmly ruling out a ceasefire in the conflict with Iran.“We are looking at winding down our tremendous military efforts against the terrorist regime in Iran in the Middle East, and we are very close to achieving our goals,” Trump said in an article published in The Truth Society. The goals he outlined included degrading Iran’s missile capabilities, dismantling its defense industrial base and preventing it from acquiring a nuclear capability. He added that he listed the goals, “(1) Completely cripple Iran’s missile capabilities, launchers, and everything associated with them. (2) Destroy Iran’s defense industrial base. (3) Eliminate their navy and air force, including anti-aircraft weapons. (4) Never allow Iran to get close to nuclear capabilities, and if that happens, the United States will always be able to respond quickly and forcefully to that scenario. (5) Protect, at the highest levels, our Middle East allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.”He also said responsibility for ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz should be shifted from Washington. “When necessary, the Strait of Hormuz must be guarded and regulated by other countries using the strait – but not the United States!” He added that the United States would provide help if needed.Meanwhile, earlier, Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House alongside Marco Rubio, rejected calls for a ceasefire. “I don’t want a ceasefire. You know, you don’t have a ceasefire when you actually eliminate the other side,” he said, adding, “I think we won.”His comments come as the United States is sending additional Marines to the Middle East, a sign it may expand its military options, even as Washington insists it does not currently plan to send ground troops to Iran.