President Donald Trump declared that the United States is “doing very well” after coordinated strikes left Iran’s leadership shattered, and he framed the military response as decisive, effective, and restoring American strength and deterrence in a dangerous region.
Trump confidently judged the campaign’s results in blunt terms, and he did not mince words when he described the damage done to Iran’s capabilities. “Somebody said, ‘How would you score it from zero to 10?’ I said, ‘I’d give it a 12 to a 15.’ Their army is gone. Their navy is gone. Their communications are gone. Their leaders are gone,” Trump said. “Two sets of their leaders.”
That assessment came after a public appearance that doubled as a show of normalcy and control, where Trump explained why he was meeting with college sports figures while major events unfolded abroad. “That’s right,” Trump agreed, adding that Iran’s air force has been “wiped out entirely. Think of it. They have 32 ships. All 32 are at the bottom of the ocean. Other than that, they’re doing very well.”
He repeatedly credited the U.S. military, underscoring a theme Republicans emphasize: strength prevents further loss and protects American lives. “Our military is doing phenomenally,” he said, pointing to actions that took out nuclear potential and degraded enemy capabilities before they could harm more people.
Trump framed the strikes as a necessary alternative to allowing continued attacks and casualties, arguing the United States had to act rather than accept ongoing losses. He warned that a hostile and violent leadership was responsible for many deaths and injuries, and the choice was to tolerate that or to do something decisive, which he said his administration did.
When a reporter suggested Russian involvement in targeting Americans, the president dismissed it as secondary to what had been achieved, calling the question poorly timed. “That’s an easy problem compared to what we’re doing here,” Trump said, and he brushed off the line of questioning to keep attention on broader strategic gains.
He tied recent operations to earlier displays of air power and long-range capability, noting the use of assets such as B-2 bombers as part of a continuous effort to remove nuclear threats. In his view, these moves have bolstered U.S. deterrence and pushed back on regimes that sponsor violence, and they have changed both perception and reality on the ground.
Trump also used social platforms to underscore a firm negotiating stance, insisting the United States would not accept any deal that left Iran intact on hostile terms and demanding total surrender as the baseline for future talks. He wrote that the only acceptable outcome was “except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” and called for the selection of “a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s)” to steer Iran toward reconstruction and economic renewal.
In his message about restoration and rebuilding, the former president expressed an optimistic, almost promotional vision for Iran’s future if it turned away from aggression. “After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before,” Trump wrote. “IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. ‘MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).’”
Darnell Thompkins is a conservative opinion writer from Atlanta, GA, known for his insightful commentary on politics, culture, and community issues. With a passion for championing traditional values and personal responsibility, Darnell brings a thoughtful Southern perspective to the national conversation. His writing aims to inspire meaningful dialogue and advocate for policies that strengthen families and empower individuals.