Trump: Iran war showed strength, not limits of US power

U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that the recent conflict with Iran exposed limits to his ability to project power, arguing instead that the war demonstrated American military and economic leverage on the global stage.

In an interview with The Axios Show, Trump defended his handling of the war, which began with demands for Iran's "unconditional surrender" but concluded with a more limited memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ending hostilities and preventing wider economic fallout.

Asked what he had learned about the limits of presidential power during the conflict, Trump responded: "There are no limits."

He added: "I haven't learned that lesson yet. I know there are, but there are no limits."

Trump argued that the United States achieved a decisive military victory, saying: "we defeated them totally militarily," and claiming that the resulting agreement "probably is unconditional surrender."

According to Trump, the conflict underscored America's military capabilities.

"Who else could have done a blockade like that? I did a naval blockade where not one ship was able to get through. Some tried. It didn't last very long," he said.

At the same time, Trump acknowledged that extending military operations could have had severe economic consequences. Responding to critics who argued he should have taken a tougher stance against Iran, he said:

"The only way I can get tougher is if I go in there for another two or three weeks and continue to bomb the hell out of 'em. Right? But what does that get us? The Strait of Hormuz will not be open."

Trump warned that prolonged fighting could have disrupted global energy supplies.

"We wouldn't have oil for months. As long as you're dropping bombs, that thing is automatically closed," he said, before adding: "This is the kind of thing that could cause a worldwide depression."

Sources familiar with Trump's thinking said he had privately expressed concerns that global petroleum reserves were being depleted and that an extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a major oil shock.

By Sabina Mammadli