WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Thursday issued a stern warning to Iran, saying any attack on American military personnel could provide grounds for renewed US military action.
Speaking to reporters amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran, Trump claimed Iran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened and insisted the country was no longer in a position to pose a major conventional threat.
Trump Claims Iran’s Military Has Been Crippled
The US president asserted that Iran’s naval and air capabilities had been effectively destroyed during recent hostilities.
According to Trump, Iran no longer possesses an effective navy or air force, and much of its military leadership structure has been dismantled.
He also accused sections of the media of misrepresenting the conflict by portraying Iran as having performed well despite what he described as extensive military losses.
“They have 159 ships and all of them lie at the bottom of the ocean. We have taken pictures of them down there,” Trump said.
‘If They Killed US Troops, It Would Be a Good Reason’
Addressing the possibility of future military operations, Trump suggested that any renewed conflict would depend on Iran’s actions.
“If they killed US troops, it would be a good reason to do so,” he said, indicating that an attack on American personnel could trigger a military response from the United States.
The remarks underscore Washington’s continued warning that attacks on US forces in the region would be met with a strong response.
House Votes to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers
The comments came a day after the US House of Representatives approved a resolution aimed at restricting the president’s authority to undertake further military action against Iran without congressional approval.
The measure passed by a narrow 215-208 margin, with four Republican lawmakers joining Democrats in support of the proposal.
The resolution will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Trump Dismisses Vote as ‘Meaningless’
Reacting to the House vote, Trump sharply criticised lawmakers and dismissed the resolution as politically motivated.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, he described the measure as “meaningless” and argued that it could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“Yesterday, in a meaningless vote, the House voted, 4 bad Republicans and all of the Democrats, to limit my War Powers, right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the war with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote.
Debate Over Presidential Authority Intensifies
The House vote reflects a long-running debate in Washington over the extent of presidential war powers and Congress’s constitutional role in authorising military action.
Supporters of the resolution argue that major military operations require explicit congressional approval, while opponents contend that the president must retain flexibility to respond quickly to threats against US interests and personnel.
With tensions between the United States and Iran continuing despite recent diplomatic efforts, the issue is expected to remain a significant point of contention in Washington in the weeks ahead.
