Trump: Iran ‘pretty much at the end of the line’ though US may not ‘end it immediately’

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists upon returning to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on March 11, 2026. (Jim Watson/AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists upon returning to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on March 11, 2026. (Jim Watson/AFP)

US President Donald Trump claims that while Iran is “pretty much at the end of the line,” that “doesn’t mean we’re going to end it immediately.”

He tells reporters “the straits are in great shape,” apparently referring to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely shut down to global oil transport in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes.

Asked about a report that Iran is trying to carry out an attack in California, Trump says it’s being investigated, without offering more detail.

“You have a lot of things happening, and all we can do is take them as they come,” he adds.

Trump adds that American law enforcement has eyes on “all” Iranian-linked terror sleeper cells in the US.

He repeats that the US would like to see a new leader in Iran who “knows what they’re doing… [and] can build a country.”

He reiterates his threat that the US has the capacity to “hit sections of Tehran and other places” that would make it impossible for Iran to ever rebuild. “We don’t want that.”

“We could take apart their electric capacity within one hour,” he insists.

“Many people are saying that [the war] has already been won,” Trump claims.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.