President Trump's 5 goals in the war with Iran

2026-04-10 14:51:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US President Donald Trump claims he achieved everything and rushed to declare a total and complete victory over Iran, but the reality is different, as he has 5 goals:

1. Total destruction of the missile industry

Trump had promised to dismantle Tehran’s missile infrastructure. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that the US had effectively destroyed the program, missiles and production facilities, leaving Iran unable to replenish its arsenal. However, analysis by the Soufan Center shows that Iran continues to launch up to 20 missiles a day against Israel. Although the number has been reduced by 90%, Nick Carl of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) points out that the remaining 10% remains extremely dangerous and expensive.
Experts point out that Iran’s missile industry, almost entirely domestic since the 1980s, is much more resilient than the White House estimates.

2. The “annihilation” of the Iranian Navy

The Pentagon says 90% of Iran’s regular fleet is now at the bottom of the Arabian Gulf. General Dan Caine reported the sinking of 150 ships and the destruction of 95% of naval mines. Despite the military degradation, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains the biggest problem. As Joseph Rodgers of CSIS notes, Iran has taken the conflict to the level of economic warfare. Even without a powerful navy, Tehran’s use of land-based missiles and drones allows it to strike commercial tankers, holding them closed and the global economy hostage.

3. Neutralizing Iran's Armed Allies

The US operation in Iran targeted infrastructure inside Iran but appears to have left the network in the region largely intact. Despite promises to eliminate threats from Hezbollah and the Houthis, Israel's escalating bombing of Lebanon, under the pretext that the country is not included in the ceasefire, threatens to derail the negotiations.

4. Nuclear weapons and uranium

Since the US operation last June, Trump has claimed that the nuclear facilities have been eliminated. However, large quantities of enriched uranium remain hidden in underground facilities. The president's aim to "dig up and remove" the uranium is considered by experts to be a "massive" and extremely high-risk operation, for which there is still no confirmed agreement from the Iranian side.

5. Pressure for regime change

The assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war was seen by Trump as the successful completion of “Regime Change.” However, the reality is that the rise to power of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, preserves the country’s hardline theocratic structure. Analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu points out that although the regime is weaker than ever, it remains deadly, backed by the Revolutionary Guard and bent on revenge. /The Washington Post