President Donald Trump says Iran is running low on key weapons systems and suggested he would be open to engaging with members of a restructured government if one emerges from the current conflict.
In a phone interview Tuesday with Politico, Trump said Tehran's military capacity is declining, though he expects Iranian forces to continue launching missiles in the near term.
"They're running out and they're running out of areas to shoot them, because they're being decimated," Trump said. "They're running out of launchers."
His remarks came as U.S. personnel and regional governments prepared for additional missile and drone strikes from Iran, which has launched attacks in waves since the United States and Israel initiated military strikes Saturday.
U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait said Tuesday that they would close, and the State Department urged Americans across the Middle East to leave the region as the conflict entered its fourth day.
Trump also addressed U.S. military resources during the interview. "We have unlimited of the middle, and upper middle, ammunition and things. We save it and we build it," he said.
"The defense companies are on a rapid tear to build the various things we need," Trump added. "They're under emergency orders. We're making it fast. But we have unlimited, as stupid as [former President Joe] Biden was, he didn't use it."
Trump said the conflict could last several weeks or end within days.
He said that military action was justified because Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon or gaining the capability to attack the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday that Israel was prepared to strike Iran regardless, potentially drawing in the United States.
Asked whether he was past the point of accepting contact from someone in Iran for help to establish a new government, Trump indicated the door remains open. "Nope, not too late. Forty-nine [senior Iranian leaders] were killed, don't forget, so that goes pretty deep, right? New ones are emerging. A lot of people want the job. Some of them would be very good."
In a video announcing the "major combat operations" on Saturday, Trump told Iranians, "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations."
Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.