Trump on Iran: "We are hitting them hard and will continue to do so"
US President Donald Trump stated that the campaign against Iran is proceeding successfully, while US officials note that real power in the country lies with the Revolutionary Guards.
US President Donald Trump addressed the tensions with Iran and the exchange of fire in the Gulf and the Middle East during an interview with Fox News on Friday. He claimed that the campaign against the Islamic Republic is going well, stating, "The US military is hitting them hard and we will continue to do so — in the end, something will happen." According to Trump, the Iranians "will have no choice" but to surrender and accept US dictates.
Meanwhile, US officials told CNN that, according to their assessment, the Revolutionary Guards effectively control the decision-making process in Iran, and that the political figures with whom the US has engaged remain primarily representative. According to them, the situation is further complicated by internal dynamics within the Revolutionary Guards, where several senior commanders are competing for control. This is one of the main reasons why US officials and regional partners fear that the confrontation is expected to continue.
