President Trump declared that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is "unlikely to live in peace," while asserting that the Tehran regime is signaling a desire to discuss the possibility of ending the US-Israel war with Iran.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News foreign correspondent Trey Yingst on Air Force One on the evening of March 9, President Trump said:
"I don’t believe he can live in peace."
Mr. Trump also noted that the Iranian side has signaled interest in dialogue regarding a possible end to the hostilities, though the outcome remains dependent on the conditions of both parties.
"Could happen, depending on conditions. Only could happen," he said.
Military Campaign Deemed a "Great Success"
Earlier that day, at Trump National Doral Miami, President Trump gave a positive assessment of the military campaign titled Operation Epic Fury.
According to him, the campaign destroyed a large part of Iran's military capabilities after confirming Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in a previous airstrike.
The damaged systems include:
- Navy
- Air Force
- Air defense systems
- Radar
- Telecommunications infrastructure
- Command structure
He said:
"Everything has been destroyed."
President Trump believed the current results have reached the level of a "great success," but he has not yet considered deploying ground troops to the country's nuclear facilities.
Iran Signals Interest in Talks
According to President Trump, Tehran has sent signals wanting to discuss the possibility of ending the war after leaving the negotiating table without reaching any prior agreement.
The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran entered its 11th day on March 10, which was also the subject of a phone call Mr. Trump had with President Putin to discuss finding a solution.
Israeli airstrikes continue in various areas across Iran and Lebanon, while rescue workers in Tehran are still searching for survivors in destroyed residential areas.
