WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that ongoing American combat operations linked to Iran will continue until “all of our objectives are achieved,” signaling that military action is not over despite signs of possible diplomatic outreach.
In a video statement released late Sunday, Trump said combat operations were continuing “in full force” and warned that further US casualties were possible. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following recent American strikes on Iranian targets, including naval assets, and as Washington weighs potential talks with Iran’s new leadership.
Trump said the United States would “avenge” any American deaths and described the strikes as necessary to counter what he called threats involving nuclear weapons. He also urged members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and military forces to lay down their arms, warning of severe consequences if they did not.
Call for talks alongside military pressure
Earlier, in an interview with The Atlantic, Trump said Iran’s new leadership had expressed willingness to open talks with Washington and that he had agreed to engage in dialogue.
“They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk,” Trump said, adding that discussions should have taken place earlier. He did not specify whom he would speak with or provide a timeline for the talks.
In a separate social media post, Trump claimed that US strikes had significantly damaged Iranian naval capabilities, including the destruction of several vessels and major facilities. Reuters could not independently verify the extent of the damage.
Read: Iran confirms death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israel strike
Trump also suggested that some Iranian officials previously involved in negotiations were killed in recent strikes, though he did not provide names or details.
Political transition in Tehran
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that a temporary leadership council has assumed the duties of supreme leader following the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to Pezeshkian, the interim body includes the president, the head of the judiciary and a member of the powerful Guardians Council. The announcement marks a significant political development in Tehran as the country navigates both external military pressure and internal leadership transition.
The latest statements from Washington and Tehran suggest that diplomatic channels may reopen even as military operations and regional tensions remain ongoing.
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