President Donald Trump addressed a defense summit Wednesday at the U.S. Army War College as rumors grow that he is going to increase the military action in the Middle East, just days after fighting resumed with Iran.
“We’re doing really well with Iran,” he told the room full of Cabinet officials and business and defense officials.
The event was organized by Sen. David McCormick, R-Pa., and featured Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.
“The country is booming, and we’ll have Iran defeated soon. They’ll be defeated very soon, and then I guess it’ll be even better,” he said.
Trump acknowledged that oil prices have gone up in the recent days since fighting with Iran resumed.
He said people thought oil would go up to $350 a barrel and as of Wednesday, it’s at $79. Days before, it was $68, Trump said.
“It went up a little bit because I had to take tough action because they did not obey what they’re supposed to obey,” he said.
Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Central Command announced U.S. forces were launching a second wave of operations for the day after a first round began earlier in the day.
“The strikes are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway vital to global commerce,” CENTCOM said. “The U.S. military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief’s direction.”
Earlier Wednesday, CENTCOM announced that it had restarted its naval blockage on Iranian ports and the U.S. “redirected” two commercial vessels attempting to “run the blockade.”
On Monday, Trump said the strait would be open and will remain open “with or without Iran.” This comes just days after he declared the ceasefire to be over.
He said the U.S. would control the waterway, being the “GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT.” Trump also announced that there would be a 20% “reimbursement” to the U.S. to help cover the costs necessary to keep safety and peace in the region.
The Trump administration later walked back the 20% toll, particularly as it was at odds with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s previous remarks and international law.
Rubio was asked about Iran putting a toll on ships in the strait last month and said “no country is allowed to charge tolls or fees.”
“That’s existing international law. That’s the way it is in international waterways all over the world and that’s the way we expect it here,” he said at the time.
At the summit Wednesday, Trump was asked by a reporter whether he would be giving Iran a deadline. He said he doesn’t like giving deadlines and they “know the story” and “better behave.”
Republicans in Trump’s circle and in Congress are likely beginning to be concerned about how much longer the war will go on, particularly as midterm elections creep up and voters will head to the polls with hurting wallets and pockets.
Some critics online say Trump is entering the country into another “forever war,” when the administration has promised since the start of the war in February that it would be a short-term excursion.
Trump formally notified Congress last week about the resumption of military activities under the war powers resolution. Utah Sen. John Curtis said Congress must assert its authority on whether to declare war.
Under the War Powers Act, U.S. forces can only stay in the targeted area for 60 days after the president notifies Congress.
Some of Trump’s critics on the war are coming from his own base. Fox News reporter Jessica Tarlov expressed frustration on Wednesday after Trump’s remarks, disagreeing with co-host Jesse Watters, who thinks the U.S. was in a “good position.”
“We were promised, this started at 24 to 48 hours. Then it was a few weeks. Then it’s a few months. It’s been ‘bridge and power plant day,’ I think three times, you know, ‘threatening to end civilization,’” Tarlov said on Fox’s “The Five.” “He says ... only about 40 times that Iran wants a deal. Also, another 40 times that the war is almost over. It feels like BS at this point.”
It comes as Trump is reportedly planning on ramping up military action against Iran, with more strikes, bombings and putting troops on the ground to seize land all being options.
After a Situation Room meeting Tuesday evening, he discussed those options with top leaders who were also at the summit Wednesday.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump hasn’t made a decision and says he prefers a deal with Iran instead of ramping up action.
Some officials told the outlet that Trump is reluctant to commit to putting forces on the ground after he walked back previous threats to seize land. Still, he could change his mind.