President Donald Trump said in a phone interview with CNN on Monday that U.S. forces are “knocking the crap out of them,” referencing Iran and the ongoing military campaign described as effective yet escalatory.
“We’re knocking the crap out of them,” Trump told CNN on Monday, adding that operations were “going very well” and that U.S. forces are “very powerful.”
Speaking separately at the White House later in the day, the president said U.S. forces struck Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure. He said he warned Tehran against rebuilding destroyed facilities and projected that military operations could last 4-5 weeks as fighting entered its third day since Saturday’s initial onslaught.
He framed the mission as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and expanding missile systems capable of threatening U.S. forces and allies.
The Goal is No Nukes
At the White House, Trump said the objectives were clear.
“We’re destroying Iran’s missile capabilities, we’re annihilating their navy, and we’re ensuring that the world’s No. 1 sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Ten Iranian ships were “at the bottom of the sea,” he added. The Pentagon has not released a public battle damage assessment confirming the number of vessels destroyed.
Even with the 4-5 week timetable presented by Trump, he acknowledged that U.S. forces were capable of continuing longer if necessary.
Iran has dispersed elements of its missile and nuclear infrastructure across multiple hardened and underground sites designed to withstand airstrikes. The White House did not specify which nuclear facilities were struck or whether uranium enrichment capacity was permanently disabled.
The campaign follows U.S. and allied strikes that targeted Iranian military infrastructure across dozens of sites early in the conflict, including missile and drone launch facilities as part of a broader operation to counter Tehran’s regional capabilities.
Four Americans Killed in Action
Trump confirmed that four American service members were killed in action and offered condolences to their families.
“We grieve for the four heroic American service members who have been killed in action,” he said Monday.
The president did not identify the service members or specify where the deaths occurred. Casualties have occurred amid intense Iranian retaliation targeting U.S. and allied forces following the opening strikes.
The fatalities mark the first publicly acknowledged U.S. combat deaths since the campaign began.
Earlier on Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed what was initially publicly reported by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that a friendly fire incident in Kuwait led to three downed U.S. F-15 aircraft. No pilots were killed.
Trump Rips 2015 Iran Deal
Trump again criticized the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the multinational agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama that limited Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.
“I was very proud to have knocked out the Iran nuclear deal,” Trump said.
The United States withdrew from the accord in 2018 during Trump’s first term. Under the agreement, Iran capped enrichment at 3.67% purity and reduced its stockpile.
After the withdrawal, Iran expanded enrichment activity. The International Atomic Energy Agency has reported enrichment levels approaching weapons-grade benchmarks.
The administration has not detailed how much of Iran’s enrichment capacity was damaged in the current strikes or whether inspectors will verify destruction of key facilities.
Trump warned Iran not to attempt reconstruction “at a different location,” signaling the United States would respond if Tehran shifted nuclear work or missile production elsewhere.
“This was our last best chance to strike,” Trump said Monday.
Pentagon officials have not released a formal battle damage assessment detailing the extent of damage at targeted sites.
Lawmakers and military officials are debating the legal authority for the ongoing strikes and how Congress should assert its war powers after the president ordered force without prior congressional approval.
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