U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a CBS News interview Tuesday that he is not yet prepared to withdraw American military assets from operations aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, despite suggesting on Truth Social that allied nations should assume responsibility for the effort. Speaking by phone, Trump expressed frustration that countries like the United Kingdom have not deployed military forces to support the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, insisting those nations must "come in and take care of it." He claimed Iran's military capabilities have been destroyed, describing the country as "a mess" and asserting that "total regime change" has occurred, with new leadership he characterized as more reasonable than previous figures. Trump maintained there is "no real threat" to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for 20% of globally traded oil, despite ongoing Iranian attacks on vessels and regional infrastructure.
Trump dismissed concerns over rising gas prices, which reached a national average of over $4 per gallon for the first time in more than three years, according to AAA. He predicted prices would fall once U.S. forces exit the region after the war concludes, echoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's statement that gas prices would "plummet back to multi-year lows" once Operation Epic Fury ends. When asked about a timeline, Trump said the operation is "two weeks ahead of schedule," though it has already extended beyond the initial 4-to-6-week projection into its fifth week. He claimed Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remains inaccessible due to the depth of its facilities, referencing the U.S.-Israeli bombing of nuclear sites last June, which he described as an "obliteration," and stated he does not "even think about" whether the material must be removed to declare victory.
When Trump says allies must "come up and grab" oil from the Strait of Hormuz, he isn't demanding burden-sharing — he's admitting the U.S. campaign lacks international legitimacy. His claim that Iran has been "decimated" and that "total regime change" has occurred is not confirmed by independent sources, yet it forms the basis for an escalating military posture with no clear exit. With gas prices surging and no verifiable endgame, the administration is selling victory as a fait accompli while avoiding the hardest questions about long-term security. This isn't strategy; it's improvisation masked as triumph.
