US president says military campaign has crippled Iran’s forces amid escalating regional conflict
March 8, 2026: Donald Trump, President of the United States, on Saturday claimed that American forces had wiped out the entire leadership of Iran, describing the operation as removing a major “cancer” from the world. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while travelling to Miami, Trump said the US had inflicted heavy damage on Iran’s military capabilities, including its navy, air force, missile production facilities and drone operations.
Trump also denied allegations that US forces were responsible for bombing a girls’ elementary school in Iran, claiming instead that the strike was carried out by Iran itself due to the inaccuracy of its weapons. The US president said the conflict was progressing strongly in Washington’s favour, asserting that Iranian military strength had been severely weakened after a week of fighting.
Meanwhile, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said a diplomatic deal with Iran could still be possible if Tehran changes its stance on nuclear enrichment. The escalation follows joint US–Israel strikes that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, triggering retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Iran on regional targets including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.