Trump on Iran: We won, but don't want to leave early

RiddleMaster · 2026-03-11T22:55:31+00:00

President Trump declared victory in the Iran war at a rally, stating the U.S. has significantly weakened Iran’s military but will continue to engage until the job is fully completed.

RiddleMaster

2026-03-11 22:55:31

Abstract generation in progress

HEBRON, Kentucky, March 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on ‌Wednesday that “we won” the Iran war but that the United States will stay in the fight to finish the job.

“You never like to say too ⁠early you won. We won,” Trump told a campaign-style rally in Hebron, Kentucky. “In the first hour it was over.”

The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.

He said the United States had knocked out 58 Iranian naval ships.

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, U.S., March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Trump has seesawed on Iran, crediting the U.S. military for significantly ‌degrading ⁠Iran’s military but resisting a speedy end to the conflict.

“We don’t want to leave early do we?” Trump said. “We got to ⁠finish the job.”

He said the United States has “virtually destroyed Iran.” He seemed to signal that the ⁠United States would continue the fight for now.

“We don’t want to go ⁠back every two years,” he said.

Reporting by Bo Erickson and Steve Holland, editing by Michelle Nichols and Caitlin Webber

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Suggested Topics:
World

X
Facebook
Linkedin
Email
Link

Purchase Licensing Rights

Bo Erickson

Thomson Reuters

Bo Erickson is a US politics correspondent based in Washington, DC. He covers Congress and reports on how lawmakers’ decisions impact their constituents far from the capital, as well as federal funding decisions and the fights over the “power of the purse.” Previously, he reported on the White House and presidential campaigns for CBS News. He is proud to be a Minnesotan at heart.

Email
X
Instagram
Linkedin

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.