President Donald Trump told CBS News on Monday that his war in Iran could be almost over — just after the Pentagon tweeted, “We have Only Just Begun to Fight.”
“In a phone interview, President Trump told me the war could be over soon,” reported CBS’s Weijia Jiang on Monday afternoon, less than one hour after the social media post. “I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no Air Force.”
Trump added that the U.S. is “very far” ahead of his initial 4-5 week estimated time frame,” Jiang added.
The Commander-in-Chief’s prediction also came just days after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told CBS News’ “60 Minutes” that this is “just the beginning” of the war in Iran, as The Washington Post’s John Hudson reported.
Earlier on Monday, the Pentagon posted another Iran tweet: “This is just the beginning—we will not be deterred until the mission is over.”
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One week ago, after President Trump specifically alluded to the war in Iran being about regime change, Secretary Hegseth declared it was not.
“Trump repeatedly emphasized regime change was a goal — and possibly even the goal,” CNN reported.
“America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force,” Trump said to the Iranian opposition in the early hours of the war. “Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.”
“When we are finished, take over your government,” Trump added. “It will be yours to take.”
Barely days later, Hegseth told reporters, “This is not a so-called regime change war.”
