Trump: Probability of Striking Iran 'Extremely Low' as Long as Negotiations Continue

U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a telephone interview with CNN that the probability of the United States launching a new military strike on Iran is "extremely low" given the continuation of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said that "Iran is a failed state" and that inflation there reached 301% this year. He added that the likelihood of needing a strike is extremely low, noting that he would have done it if necessary, but the United States has already struck it with severe force.

Trump pointed out that American forces are standing ready in the region in case an order to strike is issued, revealing that the American target list includes "38 bridges that can be destroyed in one hour in the literal sense of the word." However, he added that he does not prefer to destroy Iranian infrastructure, explaining that reconstruction takes 10 years, and that he "does not like demolishing bridges."

Trump claimed that Iran does not possess defensive capability in the face of American strikes, affirming that its air defense system has been destroyed, and that it has retained only 10% of its missile capacity and 15% of its drone capability. Nevertheless, he reiterated that a new military strike "will likely not be necessary," asserting that Iran "desperately wants to reach an agreement."