In a post on Truth Social, the US president wrote, “Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said ‘Too Late!’”
Trump was referring to a Washington Post opinion piece titled “We’re witnessing the birth of the Trump Doctrine: Like Reagan, the president has found a way to change the world without putting boots on the ground.”
The remarks came as the conflict entered its fourth day following US and Israeli air strikes on Iran over the weekend. Doubling down on his stance, Trump said the United States had sufficient military stockpiles to sustain a prolonged campaign if required.
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In a separate social media post overnight, he asserted that there was a “virtually unlimited supply” of American munitions and that wars could be fought “forever, and very successfully, using just these supplies.”
“The United States is stocked, and ready to WIN, BIG!!!” he added.Speaking briefly at the White House ahead of a Medal of Honor ceremony, his first public appearance since the latest escalation, Trump had said the military campaign was progressing faster than anticipated. While he did not provide specifics on the duration of the offensive, he noted that initial projections had suggested it could last four to five weeks.
“We’re already substantially ahead of our time projections. But whatever the time is, it’s OK. Whatever it takes,” he said.
Fourth day: Conflict spreads across Gulf
As the war entered its fourth day on Tuesday, the confrontation widened dramatically across the Gulf region, with fresh missile and drone strikes, diplomatic sites targeted and energy markets rattled.
Iran called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and halt hostilities. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the council had both the authority and responsibility to act if it chose to do so, as fighting intensified.
The humanitarian toll also mounted.
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The Iranian Red Crescent said the death toll in Iran had climbed to 787 following sustained air strikes by US and Israeli forces.
The United States urged its citizens to leave large parts of the Middle East, citing serious security risks. The advisory covered countries stretching from Egypt across the Gulf, including Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, even as airspace disruptions complicated commercial departures.
One of the most consequential flashpoints emerged around the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander said the strategic waterway had been closed and warned that vessels attempting passage could be attacked. The narrow channel handles roughly a fifth of global oil consumption and is a critical route linking major Gulf producers to international markets.
The threat sent oil prices higher amid fears of prolonged supply disruptions.
Missile and drone attacks were reported across the region. Two drones struck the US embassy compound in Riyadh, causing minor damage and prompting “shelter in place” advisories for American personnel. Gulf states including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates said they had intercepted incoming projectiles, while smoke was reported near diplomatic sites in Kuwait.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the offensive as urgent and pre-emptive, arguing that Iran was rapidly fortifying its nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure.
He described the campaign as decisive and not intended to become an endless war.
Meanwhile, India voiced concern over the escalating conflict and opposed attacks on merchant shipping, while stating that domestic energy supplies remained sufficient to manage short-term disruptions.
With both Washington and Tehran hardening their positions, the fourth day of fighting underscored how quickly a targeted strike had evolved into a multi-front regional crisis with global economic and security implications.
