WANA (Jul 03) – U.S. President Donald Trump repeated a series of familiar assertions regarding Iran during interviews with two major domestic news networks, seeking to reframe public perception of the conflict amid intensifying domestic criticism over his administration’s handling of the crisis.

 

Speaking to CNN, Trump downplayed the nature of the ongoing hostilities, claiming that the confrontation with Iran was “not a war” but rather an operation aimed at nuclear disarmament.

 

The U.S. military engagement against Iran, which Trump initiated on February 28, has continued despite the expiration of a 60-day statutory deadline that allows the president to deploy forces without congressional consultation.

 

Analysts note that Trump has consistently labeled the conflict a “military operation” rather than a “war” as a legal tactic to bypass congressional oversight and justify ongoing strikes.

 

In a separate interview with NBC, Trump reiterated his long-standing position, declaring that “Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.”

 

Claims of Victory vs. Congressional Backlash

During his CNN interview, Trump claimed that Iran has capitulated to all U.S. demands. However, these remarks come at a time when the administration is facing severe backlash at home over the terms of a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tehran.

 

Critics in Congress have fiercely denounced the agreement, with several lawmakers labeling it an American “surrender document” that grants too many concessions to Tehran. Lawmakers argue that Trump has failed to achieve any of his original objectives, most notably the “regime change” he had publicly championed before launching the military campaign.

 

In what observers view as an attempt to neutralize this criticism and frame the outcome as a victory, Trump sought to shift the narrative during his NBC appearance. Attempting to drive a wedge within Iran’s political establishment, he described Iran’s current leaders as “more rational” and claimed the U.S. is now in agreement with them, suggesting that “this could be considered regime change.”

 

Contradicting his own previous rhetoric, Trump told NBC in another segment of the interview that he is not seeking regime change in Tehran, asserting that his sole objective remains preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He further claimed that Iran has been “defeated in the war” and is militarily broken.

 

Radar Grid Claims

Trump also made significant tactical claims during his CNN interview, asserting that U.S. forces disabled Iran’s new radar system last week. According to the U.S. president, Tehran is currently left without an operational radar network.