Trump Declares Iran War 'Won' While Pentagon Deploys Thousands of Additional Marines

President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the United States is considering scaling back its military attacks on Iran, saying the country's war aims are nearly achieved, while simultaneously the Pentagon announced it was sending additional troops and warships to the region. Trump made the remarks outside the White House and followed them with a post on his Truth Social platform. He rejected any ceasefire negotiations, saying the United States does not conclude a ceasefire when it is "literally wiping out the other side." The contradictory signals — de-escalatory rhetoric paired with a military buildup — came as the United States and Israel struck the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, and as shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell by 95 (%) — drop in Hormuz shipping traffic since conflict began due to the conflict and Iranian threats.

Natanz struck, Kharg Island blockade under consideration Iranian authorities confirmed that the United States and Israel attacked the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, stating that no radioactivity was released in the strike. Satellite images from March 2, 2026, showed damage to entrance buildings at the site, and the IAEA confirmed the attack on March 3, 2026, according to web search results. Separately, the US military bombed dozens of military targets on Kharg Island approximately one week before March 21, 2026. According to the US news portal Axios, the Trump administration is now considering plans to occupy or blockade Kharg Island, a major Iranian oil hub located 25 kilometres off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf, in order to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon is sending three warships and between 2,200 and 2,500 additional Marines to the Middle East. CBS News, citing anonymous sources, reported that the Pentagon is also making preparations for the potential deployment of ground troops inside Iran, though it remained unclear under what circumstances Trump would authorize such a deployment.

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Trump calls NATO allies 'cowards' over Hormuz inaction Trump directed sharp criticism at NATO allies in his Truth Social post, calling them "cowards" for refusing to help the United States secure the Strait of Hormuz. „Without the USA, the defense alliance is a toothless tiger. Now that the fight has been militarily "WON," they were complaining about high oil prices but would not help open the Strait of Hormuz. That would be so easy for them and involve only little risk. COWARDS, we will REMEMBER that!” — Donald Trump via Der Tagesspiegel Trump wrote that other countries would have to take responsibility for protecting the strait in the future, and that the United States would assist if asked, but added that such assistance should no longer be necessary once the threat from Iran is eliminated. The Handelsblatt noted that Trump has declared the war nearly over on multiple previous occasions, only for US attacks to intensify afterward. US fighter jets and attack helicopters are currently intensifying operations against Iranian drones and warships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple US media outlets cited by Handelsblatt.

The Strait of Hormuz has long been considered one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints, with a significant share of global petroleum exports passing through it. Iran has repeatedly threatened over the decades to close the strait in response to military pressure or sanctions. The current conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the initial strikes. Mojtaba Khamenei, his son, was appointed Supreme Leader on March 9, 2026. The Natanz nuclear facility, one of Iran's primary uranium enrichment sites, was struck on March 2, 2026, with the IAEA confirming the attack the following day.

Sanctions eased on oil shipments to cool rising prices The near-total halt in Strait of Hormuz shipping has placed significant upward pressure on global oil markets, prompting the United States to take emergency economic measures. The US Treasury Department announced a temporary easing of sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded on ships, permitting its sale and delivery until April 19, 2026. The United States had also recently announced that Russian oil already on ships could temporarily be sold again without penalty, according to Der Tagesspiegel. Trump stated his war aims include the destruction of Iran's missile capabilities and defense industry, the elimination of its navy and air force including air defense systems, and ensuring Iran never comes close to possessing nuclear weapons. The protection of US allies in the Middle East was also listed as a stated objective. US sanctions relief measures: Iranian oil on ships (before: Subject to full US sanctions, after: Sale and delivery permitted until April 19, 2026); Russian oil on ships (before: Subject to US sanctions, after: Temporarily permitted for sale without penalty)