President Trump declared the U.S. military campaign against Iran is nearing completion, telling Axios that “practically nothing left to target” remains in the Islamic Republic after just two weeks of devastating strikes under Operation Epic Fury.
Story Highlights
- Trump announces Iran war will end “soon,” claiming complete destruction of military targets after 12 days of airstrikes
- Operation Epic Fury has decimated Iranian missile capabilities, reducing retaliatory strikes by 90% while destroying 16 mine-laying vessels
- U.S. forces suffered only 7 casualties despite earlier predictions of 40, vindicating Trump’s strategic approach
- Administration reversed earlier rejection of Ukrainian anti-drone technology after Iranian Shahed drone attacks exposed vulnerability
Trump Signals Victory Over Iranian Aggression
President Trump told Axios in a Wednesday phone interview that the U.S.-led military operation against Iran will conclude imminently, declaring “any time I want it to end, it will end.” The President characterized the campaign as retribution for 47 years of Iranian regional hostility, including support for terrorist proxies and nuclear weapons development. Trump emphasized the operation is proceeding ahead of the original 4-6 week timeline, with Iranian capabilities so degraded that meaningful targets have become scarce. Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander, confirmed U.S. military power is building while Iran’s is rapidly declining.
#BREAKING: US has 'practically nothing left to target' in #Iran, Trump tells Axios https://t.co/Il7QsmLt9i pic.twitter.com/oR7MkLKpup
— Arab News (@arabnews) March 11, 2026
Operation Epic Fury Achieves Rapid Success
U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated airstrikes on February 28, targeting Iran’s ballistic missile arsenals, drone facilities, nuclear sites, and military infrastructure throughout the country. The operation has destroyed critical Iranian retaliatory capabilities, with White House spokesperson Anna Kelly calling it an “undeniable success.” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth oversees the campaign, which focuses on eliminating Iran’s nuclear ambitions and threats to the Strait of Hormuz, a global oil chokepoint. On Tuesday, March 10, U.S. forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying boats attempting to blockade the strategic waterway, demonstrating American naval dominance in the region.
Strategic Reversal on Ukrainian Defense Technology
The Trump administration solicited Ukrainian anti-drone technology last week after initially rejecting the offer seven months prior in August 2025. Iranian Shahed drone attacks killed 7 U.S. service members during the campaign, far below initial estimates of 40 casualties but enough to expose vulnerabilities in American air defense systems. U.S. officials acknowledged the earlier rejection constituted a “significant strategic blunder,” as Ukrainian forces possess extensive experience countering low-cost Iranian drones. The reversal demonstrates the administration’s willingness to adapt tactics when American lives are at stake, prioritizing effectiveness over bureaucratic inertia.
Nuclear Sites Remain Final Challenge
Defense officials are weighing deployment of special forces to secure Iranian nuclear stockpiles and facilities, despite public assurances of “no boots on ground.” Secretary Hegseth reserves options for targeted operations involving scientists and technical personnel to dismantle nuclear capabilities permanently, distinct from a full-scale invasion. The administration frames this as the “last best chance” to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons after the regime reportedly reneged on diplomatic agreements and rebuilt facilities following previous strikes. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz insists operations continue indefinitely until objectives are fully achieved, creating tensions with Trump over fuel depot strikes that risk raising domestic oil prices for American consumers.
Strategic Implications for American Security
The campaign represents a decisive shift from decades of failed diplomatic engagement with Tehran’s radical regime. Trump’s approach vindicates the principle of peace through strength, demonstrating that American military superiority can eliminate existential threats without prolonged ground wars or nation-building exercises. Iranian retaliatory strikes have dropped 90% due to missile destruction, protecting American personnel and regional allies from the ayatollahs’ terrorism. The operation safeguards global energy markets, defends Israel’s right to exist, and sends an unmistakable message to adversaries contemplating aggression against American interests. Patriots understand that defeating threats decisively prevents future conflicts that endanger our sons and daughters in uniform.
The President’s confident assertion of operational control and flexibility to conclude hostilities at will demonstrates the effectiveness of American military power when unleashed without political constraints. While preparations continue for potential special operations against remaining nuclear assets, the campaign has already achieved what years of Obama-Biden appeasement could never accomplish: holding Iran accountable for decades of terrorism and nuclear deception while protecting American lives and interests.
Sources:
Axios – U.S. Ukraine Anti-Drone Offer
Roya News – Trump Says Iran War Nearly Over
Axios – Trump Address Iran War Length
