President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States military still has roughly 3,500 targets left in its ongoing campaign against Iran, but indicated that the operation could wrap up “pretty quickly.” The remarks came during a keynote speech at a Saudi-backed financial conference in Miami, where Trump highlighted what he described as significant progress in weakening Iran’s military infrastructure. ??
According to Trump, U.S. and Israeli forces have already struck more than 10,000 targets since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28. The campaign has focused on missile systems, naval assets, command centers, and weapons production facilities. Trump said the remaining targets would be handled swiftly, though he did not provide specifics about their locations or strategic value.
“We have another 3,554 targets left, and that will be done pretty quickly,” Trump said. “And then at some point, we’re going to have to determine what we do. But they have never seen anything like it.” ?
The president also emphasized that negotiations with Iran are underway, suggesting that sustained military pressure is pushing Tehran toward a deal. He insisted that any agreement must guarantee the reopening of the critical shipping lane known as the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large portion of the world’s oil supply passes.
“They are negotiating. They’re begging to make a deal,” Trump said, adding that keeping the strait open is a non-negotiable demand for the United States. He briefly joked during the speech after referring to it as the “Strait of Trump” before correcting himself, drawing laughter from the audience.
When Operation Epic Fury began, the administration outlined ambitious goals: destroy Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, cripple its navy, prevent nuclear weapon development, and weaken its support for regional proxy groups. Trump suggested the operation is moving toward those objectives, though he stopped short of declaring victory.
“We’re closer than ever to a Middle East finally free from Iranian terror, aggression, and nuclear blackmail,” he said. “For decades, Iran was known as the bully of the region. But they are not the bully any longer. They’re on the run.” ⚖️
Despite the confident tone, analysts note that Iran still retains some military capacity and regional influence, meaning the final phase of the campaign could determine whether the operation results in a lasting strategic shift. Still, Trump’s comments signal that the administration believes the endgame is approaching—potentially setting the stage for diplomacy after weeks of sustained strikes.
The coming days will likely clarify whether the remaining targets represent the final push or the start of a broader negotiation phase, as Washington balances military pressure with the possibility of a negotiated settlement.
