Politics · United States · 9 hrs ago
Trump says Iran’s leaders remaining in power would be a defeat
US President Donald Trump said he would consider it a defeat if Iran’s regime remains in power when his term ends in two years.
He made the comment in a radio interview as the United States and Iran remain in conflict.
Trump said Iran’s economy and military were badly weakened, but those claims were not independently confirmed in the accounts provided.
He said the US could resume military operations if he saw the situation turning against it, though he did not think force was needed at present.
The conflict has also disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a major route that previously carried about one-fifth of global oil.
Iran has restricted shipping there, while the US has blockaded Iranian ports and helped tankers travel through; ships continue to face attacks.
Trump said he believes the US controls the strait, but the ongoing attacks show the waterway remains risky.
Donald Trump said he would consider it a defeat if Iran’s regime remains in power when his term ends in two years.
He said he would allow US military operations to resume if he judged that events were turning against the United States.
Trump claimed the United States has total control of the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has restricted shipping and attacks on vessels have continued.
In a separate interview, Trump said Iran’s regime was “falling apart” and claimed its economy and armed forces had been severely weakened.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump made the statements in interviews with Hugh Hewitt and Salem News Channel.
- What
- Trump said Iran’s leaders remaining in power at the end of his term would be a defeat. He also said he could resume military action if circumstances worsened.
- When
- Thursday, November 12, 2026.
- Where
- The comments were made in interviews. The story also concerns the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Trump was asked about his aims for Iran and whether he would use military force again.
Trump and the United States
Iran and the IRGC
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
Trump and the United States
Trump said the United States totally controls the strait and that more oil is leaving than before the war.
Iran and the IRGC
Iran has restricted shipping through the strait and says some vessels have used unauthorized routes.
Shipping security
Trump and the United States
Trump said the United States could resume military operations if the situation turned against it.
Iran and the IRGC
The IRGC said tankers had been hit by explosions and described one vessel’s route as unauthorized and dangerous.
The war began, and Tehran heavily restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The article reported 37 ship attacks, the highest monthly tally since the conflict began.
Trump said Iran’s regime remaining in power when his term ends would be a defeat and said he could resume military action.
Iranian state media reported the IRGC Navy’s claim that an LNG tanker struck a naval mine and suffered an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump’s term
- Two years remaining
- Strait of Hormuz
- Previously carried about one-fifth of global oil
- Ship attacks in October
- 37
- Ship attacks in the first 10 days of November
- At least 10
- Iranian inflation
- Trump claimed it was 301%
3 sources
What people are saying
yes, that would be a defeat. I would say that would be a defeat. Absolutely.
No hesitation
Their economy has disappeared. They do not pay their soldiers. Their Army has been annihilated.