Donald Trump declares victory over Iran even as strikes continue: ‘We had a war with Iran. We won’

Donald Trump’s war with Iran has dominated the November midterms. The conflict has significantly dragged down the Republican argument that they’re focused on making regular folks’ lives better, with the spike in fuel prices driving up the cost of living across the board.

As such, it’s hardly a surprise that Trump’s war is unpopular across the political spectrum. Democrats naturally see this as just another example of Trump not being fit for office, while MAGA Republicans are dismayed as Trump specifically promised them he wouldn’t start a new war in the Middle East.

Well, it seems Trump is also keen to put this conflict behind him, as he declared that the conflict was not only over, but that the United States was victorious over Iran. Speaking to the press at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on midterm eve, he pronounced: “We had a war with Iran. We won.” 

“Has Iran been notified?”

This will likely be news to Iran, as soon after Trump’s declared victory, the United States resumed bombing Iran in what the Guardian described as “limited strikes” against Qeshm Island, apparently targeting surface-to-air missile launchers being used against US assets.

It should also be underlined that, as of writing, the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted and Iran is still in control of it. Per Hormuz.now, the strait is operating at only 10% of pre-war levels, with just 8-9 ships per day passing through it. Iran’s IRGC is confidently still claiming authority over the waterway and requires any ships passing to produce transit permits.

In addition, Iran has not surrendered any nuclear material or confirmed it’s abandoning nuclear research. In Trump’s own words, the Pickaxe Mountain facility is still operational, with its location beneath 300ft of granite putting it beyond everything except a nuclear strike.

And, notably, the Iranian government remains in total control of the country. The United States and Israel successfully took out Ayatollah Khamenei, but he was instantly replaced by his son, Ayatollah Khamenei and there has been no break in continuity of government. On top of that, the supposed plan for the Iranian people to rise up in revolution didn’t happen.

All of which means Trump’s sudden declaration that the war with Iran is won is being met with some skepticism. One commentator pointed out, “We won except for they control the Strait of Hormuz and their proxies are attacking US allies in the region and causing mayhem to oil shipping out of the Gulf”, another wondered, “Has Iran been notified?”