U.S. President Donald Trump said of the U.S. military operation against Iran that the war would "end fairly quickly."
On the 9th (local time), at a Republican event at the Doral resort in Miami, Florida, President Trump listed the destruction of missile and drone manufacturing facilities tied to the operation against Iran that began on the 28th of last month, and said, "When this is over, the world will be much safer." Trump said, "We have eliminated about 80% of their (Iran's) missile bases and launchers," adding, "Right now, launches are minimal." He went on, "Their missile force has been completely wiped out, and drones have been shot down," and said, "We are striking Iran's drone production facilities."
Trump said this war would be a "short expedition." He added, "I don't know when they will surrender, but they should have surrendered two days ago," and said, "Their terror leaders have already disappeared, or are counting down to disappearing soon." He also said, "Now no one knows who will be the leader of that country." The day before, Iran, after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, selected his second son Mojtaba Khamenei as his successor. Trump's remarks are being interpreted as not recognizing Mojtaba as Iran's new supreme leader.
In addition, Trump said, "We have already won in many respects, but not enough," signaling it was not yet time to talk about an exit from the war. Earlier, the White House said the war would last four to six weeks.