Trump appears to contradict earlier claims about impact of US strikes on Iran

WorldPolitics
31 May 2026 • 11:40 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Trump appears to contradict earlier claims about impact of US strikes on Iran

  • President Donald Trump made contradictory statements regarding the state of Iran's military during an interview with Lara Trump on Fox News.
  • He initially claimed the U.S. largely left Iran's military alone to prevent the country from collapsing into chaos, citing lessons from past conflicts like Iraq.
  • Moments later in the same interview, Trump asserted that Iran has “no military,” leading to criticism and confusion from experts and politicians like Rep. Ted Lieu.
  • The U.S. is currently in a stalemate with Iran, with a proposed 60-day ceasefire extension awaiting Trump's approval, three months into the conflict.
  • The ceasefire deal's finalization is delayed as details are still being negotiated, and the U.S. has struggled to forcibly open the Strait of Hormuz.

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