US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump on Thursday rejected suggestions that the conflict with Iran exposes the limits of American power, declaring there are “no limits” to what the United States can achieve.His comments came after the United States and Iran formally entered into a peace agreement by digitally signing a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending months of hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.Speaking in an interview with Axios, Trump was asked what he learned from the war about the limits of his ability to exercise power.“I haven’t learned this lesson yet. I know there are, but there are no limits,” Trump said.These comments came after Trump entered the conflict, demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” but eventually agreed to a limited memorandum of understanding to end the fighting.
However, Trump insisted that the result represented a military victory for Washington, and said that the agreement itself was a form of surrender on Tehran’s part.“We completely defeated them militarily.” He added that the memorandum of understanding “may be an unconditional surrender.”
The US President also said that the conflict demonstrated US military power, not its limits.“Who could do a siege like this? It imposed a naval blockade where not a single ship could pass. Some tried. It didn’t last long,” Trump said.At the same time, he acknowledged that prolonging the conflict could have had serious consequences for the global economy.In response to critics who said he should have taken a tougher approach toward Iran, Trump said extending the military campaign would have risked disrupting global oil supplies.“The only way I can get tougher is to go out there for another two or three weeks and keep pounding them hard. right? But what good will that do us? The Strait of Hormuz will not be open” He said.“We will not have oil for several months. As long as you’re dropping bombs, this thing will automatically shut down,” Trump added.He warned of the broader economic impact of the protracted conflict, saying: “This is the thing that could cause a global depression.”
Trump’s statements provided a glimpse into the considerations behind the agreement reached with Tehran after months of military confrontation.However, critics and many analysts believe that the agreement reflects the extent to which Washington has retreated from its original demands. Before the conflict, the United States insisted that Iran must end most domestic uranium enrichment activities, transfer its stockpiles of enriched uranium abroad, and dismantle key elements of its nuclear program.Under the new memorandum, Iran reserves the right to continue enriching uranium under agreed terms, while discussions about its stockpile and future nuclear activities are set to continue. The agreement also includes a gradual easing of sanctions and the provision of economic incentives aimed at encouraging further negotiations.Analysts say that the deal falls short of the goals set by Washington before the war and amounts to an admission that military pressure alone cannot secure all American demands.Under the agreement, the two sides agreed to cease hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin negotiations on a broader framework that includes sanctions relief, economic cooperation, and the Iranian nuclear program.The agreement also includes a gradual process of easing restrictions on Iranian oil exports and discussions about the future of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium under international supervision.The memorandum was digitally signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and went into effect immediately after the two leaders approved the document.While defending the agreement, Trump stressed that it reflects the strength of the United States and not any retreat from his previous goals.“The war showed the breadth of our power, not its limits.” He argued during the interview.