Trump Claims US Sank 46 Iranian Naval Ships, Vows to Continue Military Operations Until 'Ultimate Victory'

Donald Trump has reacted to the sinking of 46 Iranian naval ships by the United States Navy, saying he had initially suggested capturing the vessels but was told by officials that it was “more fun to sink them.” Speaking at an event, Trump said the US Navy preferred destroying the ships rather than seizing them for reuse. “I said, ‘Why didn’t we just capture the ships? We could use them.’ They said it is more fun to sink them. They like sinking them better,” he remarked. The comments come amid escalating military tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran across West Asia. Trump claimed the joint military operations with Israel have severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities. “Together with our Israeli partners, we’re crushing the enemy in an overwhelming display of technical skill and military force,” he said. “Iran’s drone and missile capability is being utterly demolished. The Navy is gone. It’s all lying at the bottom of the ocean. We knocked out 46 ships.” Trump also vowed to push forward until what he called “ultimate victory” against Iran. Addressing Republican leaders at a policy conference, he said the US had already achieved several successes but would continue military operations until the threat is eliminated. The US President further claimed that American forces have destroyed around 80 percent of Iran’s missile launchers and targeted key drone manufacturing facilities, asserting that the ongoing operation would make the world “much safer” once completed.