U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday described the war in Iran as a “short excursion” and a “small excursion” during a speech to an assembly of Republican lawmakers, adding that the United States would not “stop until the enemy is totally and definitively defeated.”
Earlier in the day, Trump said the war against Iran is “very complete” and that Washington is “very far ahead” of the four- to five-week timeline he initially estimated, according to CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang, who cited an interview with him.
Trump addresses House Republicans | Live
“I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no Air Force,” Trump said, according to Jiang.
Trump added that the United States is “very far” ahead of the original four- to five-week timeframe he had projected for the conflict.
Asked about Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump told CBS News: “I have no message for him. None, whatsoever.” He also said he has someone in mind to replace Khamenei but did not elaborate.
Trump also addressed the Strait of Hormuz, saying ships are currently moving through the strategic waterway but that he is “thinking about taking it over.”
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said later Monday that several countries — including China, Russia and France — have contacted Tehran regarding a possible ceasefire, adding that Iran’s first condition would be an end to further aggression.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Trump by phone Monday and proposed ideas for a quick political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict around Iran, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Ushakov said Putin raised proposals aimed at ending the fighting quickly, including contacts with leaders of Gulf states, Iran’s president and other international leaders.
Trump shared his assessment of developments in the U.S.-Israel operation against Iran during the call, Ushakov said, describing the conversation as “very substantial” and likely to have practical significance for future cooperation.
The two leaders also discussed the war in Ukraine, with Ushakov saying Trump expressed support for a rapid end to the conflict through a ceasefire and a long-term settlement. Ushakov said Russia’s battlefield advances were also discussed, which he said should push Kyiv toward negotiations.
According to Ushakov, Trump and Putin also discussed the situation in Venezuela in the context of global oil markets.
First published: 21:31, 03.09.26