// truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump
These words from Trump came against the backdrop of news that the U.S. is increasing its troop presence in the Middle East, which may indicate preparations for possible ground operations, although the president himself had previously dismissed such a scenario.
“I am confident that we have won,” Trump noted while speaking to the press on the White House lawn in the presence of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He added that he does not consider a ceasefire to be advisable, asserting: “You don’t make peace agreements when the enemy is in a state of total destruction.” The president reiterated that Iran is devoid of a navy, air force, and significant military resources.
However, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a sharp increase in oil prices and difficulties for many commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf.
As reported by American media, including NBC News, Wall Street Journal, and Axios, U.S. Marine Corps units are heading to the Middle East on several ships, and the White House is considering further increasing the contingent.
Axios also reported that the Trump administration is discussing plans to occupy or blockade the Iranian island of Khark, through which 90% of Iran's oil exports pass, which could pressure Tehran and help unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
Previously, the U.S. had already struck this island, and Trump emphasized that the attacks were aimed at military targets, not oil infrastructure, which Iranian authorities also highlighted.
When asked by an AFP journalist about possible actions, Trump replied: “I might have a plan, or I might not.” He also added that the U.S. is capable of “destroying” the Iranian oil hub at any moment if necessary.
On the same day, Trump again criticized NATO countries for their lack of support in ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that without U.S. involvement, NATO is a “paper tiger.” He expressed dissatisfaction that allies are not ready to engage in conflict with Iran despite its nuclear potential, pointing out their complaints about rising oil prices while they are not eager to help open the Strait of Hormuz. “COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER this!” he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
Just a few hours after his statement, the UK confirmed that it had allowed the U.S. to use its bases for attacks on Iranian targets threatening the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier, London had also granted U.S. forces the ability to use British bases to prevent missile launches from Iran, but after Friday's meeting, it was decided to expand these powers to protect vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to representatives from Downing Street, the UK does not intend to participate directly in the strikes, and “the core principles of the UK's approach to the conflict remain unchanged.”
Trump, commenting on London's decision, called it belated: “I was a little surprised that the UK did not act faster,” he added, previously criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not being ready to assist Washington at the initial stage of the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, commenting on the new developments, stated that Starmer's actions “endanger the lives of Britons” and warned that Iran “will exercise its right to self-defense.”
“Most Britons do not wish to participate in the war between Israel and the U.S. against Iran. Ignoring the people's opinion, Mr. Starmer endangers the lives of Britons by allowing bases to be used for aggression against Iran,” he wrote on social media X.
Earlier, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reported that Araghchi had a phone conversation with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, during which he stated that any assistance from the UK to the U.S. would only exacerbate the situation.
