President Donald Trump (R-FL) said the United States has won the war with Iran during a televised press briefing in Washington, D.C. [1, 2].
The statement signals a shift in diplomatic pressure as the administration attempts to force Iran into a new nuclear agreement to limit its atomic program [2, 3].
"We have won the war with Iran. We’re going to win it by a bigger margin," Trump said [2]. He said that while the conflict is militarily won, there is still no established end-game for the situation [3].
Trump said the U.S. would resort to force if negotiations fail. "If they don’t get a deal, we will take military action," Trump said [1].
Market reactions were immediate following the briefing. Crude oil futures rose about two percent to $84 per barrel [4].
Reports regarding the timing of potential strikes vary. Trump said he had planned to launch attacks on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, before deciding against the move [5]. However, other reports did not specify a pre-planned strike for that date, mentioning only general threats of future action [1].
The administration said these assertions are intended to pressure Iranian leadership to return to the negotiating table for a more restrictive nuclear deal [2, 3].
“"We have won the war with Iran. We’re going to win it by a bigger margin."”
The administration is employing a 'maximum pressure' strategy by pairing claims of military victory with the threat of renewed aggression. By linking the avoidance of military strikes to the signing of a new nuclear deal, the U.S. is attempting to leverage Iran's security concerns to achieve specific diplomatic concessions regarding its nuclear capabilities.
