Trump says 7,000 US strikes have 'literally obliterated' Iran, calls on allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump -- File Photo

US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that American military operations against Iran had significantly weakened the country’s military capabilities, saying thousands of targets had been destroyed since the start of the conflict.

Speaking about the ongoing war, Trump said US forces had struck more than 7,000 military and commercial targets inside Iran. The president also claimed that Iran’s ability to retaliate had been drastically reduced.

"The radar is gone and their leaders are gone other than that. They’re doing quite well. They’ve been a terror for 47 years and now I guess the world for the United States with the help of is doing what should’ve been done. Many years ago. Should’ve been done many years ago, since the beginning of the conflict with struck more than 7000 targets across rent, and these have been mostly commercial and military military target. We have achieved a 90% reduction in their ballistic missile launches and 95% reduction in drone attacks," he said.

Trump said Iran’s naval capabilities had been devastated during the campaign. According to him, “the Navy is completely decimated,” and “all 30 ships now at the bottom of the sea.”

He added that Iran had been “literally obliterated” by the strikes.

Trump also spoke about the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, saying the vital shipping route remained secure despite the conflict. “The Strait of Hormuz is in good shape,” he said.

He criticised US allies for their lukewarm response to his call to help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz during the US war against Iran.

"For 40 years, we're protecting you, and you don't want to get involved," Trump told reporters.

"We strongly encourage the other nations to get involved with us and get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm," he added, calling on Europe, Japan and South Korea to help the United States.

Earlier, Iran said it was ready to take the Middle East war "as far as necessary" as it launched strikes across the region on Monday, while US allies pushed back against Donald Trump's call for help to reopen a vital shipping lane.

Trump called this weekend for world powers to send warships to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of global crude.

He told the Financial Times it would be "very bad for the future of NATO" if they refused, and he has threatened to delay a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

EU foreign ministers were set to discuss the issue today and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was working with allies on a plan but ruled out a NATO mission.

Several European governments rejected the idea outright, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's spokesman saying the war had "nothing to do with NATO". Japan and Australia said they would not be deploying warships.