President Donald Trump is likely to declare victory in Iran during Wednesday's prime-time address, according to a report from Politico.
Steve Bannon, Trump's former White House chief strategist, told the news outlet that Trump is likely to frame the moment as a victory — highlighting what's been accomplished in Iran and outlining next steps before a U.S. withdrawal — while also taking aim at NATO allies, casting the conflict as their responsibility.
"Two, three weeks, definable objectives. 'I came, I saw, I conquered' — and we are hanging around a couple of weeks to conquer some more — maybe even then a ceasefire, while reiterating that the Hormuz situation is the Gulf Emirates' and the Europeans' to solve, and declare victory," Bannon said.
A press release from the White House said Trump plans to "address the nation on Operation Epic Fury — a decisive campaign of American strength that is systematically dismantling the Iranian regime's ability to threaten the United States and the free world."
A White House official said Trump is also expected to criticize NATO in his address, reported CBS News.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump suggested the war with Iran could wrap up soon.
"We're over in Iran. We're sort of pretty much winding that up," the president said during a White House event, reported CBS News.
They "have to take a few more hits" and "want to make sure we don't ever ... allow them to have a nuclear weapon," he added.
The report comes as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian released a letter addressed to the American people claiming that Iran is not a threat and that it harbors no ill will toward U.S. citizens, even as it appears to threaten "consequences."
"When war inflicts irreparable harm on lives, homes, cities and futures, people will not remain indifferent toward those responsible," Pezeshkian wrote.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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