Trump Admits War With Iran Is Faltering: “Things Are Not Going as Planned,” Confirms Saudi Participation in Fighting
In Interview With British Newspaper, U.S. President Speaks of Expected Losses and Acknowledges Fears of a Prolonged Confrontation
NYN | Reports and Analyses
U.S. President Donald Trump revealed troubling battlefield developments in the ongoing war with Iran, acknowledging that military operations “are not going as planned,” in an exclusive interview with the British newspaper Daily Mail.
Acknowledgment of Operational Setbacks
Trump’s remarks contrasted with his earlier optimistic tone, as he admitted that the course of the war had not proceeded according to American calculations, amid escalating Iranian attacks and an expanding scope of targeting that now includes U.S. military bases in the Gulf.
Responding to a question about the possibility of Saudi Arabia carrying out retaliatory strikes against Iran following attacks on its territory, Trump said: “They are fighting, they are fighting with us as well,” indicating Riyadh’s participation in the ongoing confrontation.
Fears of Growing Losses
According to the British newspaper, Trump gave his statements from his private resort, Mar-a-Lago, where he has been staying since issuing orders to launch military strikes on Iran in partnership with “Israel.”
The interview noted that instead of speaking about “quick achievements,” the U.S. president found himself vowing revenge for American soldiers killed in Iranian missile strikes—losses that had not been anticipated in the initial operational assessments.
The first U.S. operation against Iran last June had been carried out without reported American military casualties. However, recent developments indicate a notable shift in both the nature and intensity of the confrontation.
A War That Could Last Weeks
Trump also expressed concern, according to the newspaper, about the possibility of the battle dragging on, suggesting that the current round of fighting could continue for several more weeks, as fears grow over a broader regional escalation.
These statements come amid rising military tensions in the region, with international observers closely watching the trajectory of the confrontation and its political and security implications for the Gulf and the wider Middle East.
