U.S. President Donald Trump has admitted that Iran still retains a portion of its military capabilities, despite ongoing American airstrikes targeting Iranian positions. He also praised what he described as the 'intelligence of the Iranians.'
Speaking in Washington, Trump stated that the Iranians 'are smart and still possess certain capabilities,' implying that U.S. military operations have not completely dismantled Iran's military strength.
His comments come as Washington continues to conduct airstrikes within Iran, following the end of a ceasefire that had taken effect on June 18.
Conversely, Trump dismissed American media reports suggesting that Iran's position has strengthened compared to a few months ago, insisting that developments are progressing, in his words, 'better than anyone expected' and that the U.S. is achieving its objectives.
Trump’s remarks came days after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the cost of military operations against Iran has reached $37.5 billion. He also noted that Washington does not rule out the possibility of Tehran retaining undisclosed military capabilities.
These statements highlight the ongoing debate over the effectiveness of U.S. military operations and their impact on Iranian capabilities amid escalating tensions and the exchange of political and military signals between the two sides.