Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., a freshman lawmaker and Air Force veteran who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, stated Wednesday that Iran is “on its knees” militarily and economically, predicting the U.S.-led conflict with Tehran is nearing an end as President Donald Trump prepares for his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Downing described Iran as financially and operationally broken, citing recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28 that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei alongside approximately 40 senior commanders. He added that Iran is “burning through $500 million a day” and has lost its command structure, leaving the military to make critical decisions without clear leadership.
Downing noted that Tehran’s first, second, and third tiers of command have been “wiped out,” with the regime now run by military factions. He praised President Trump’s Operation Freedom, which aims to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block it, and stated that Trump paused the operation on May 5 following requests from Pakistan and other nations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on May 5 that the broader campaign, Operation Epic Fury, had achieved its objectives and concluded. Downing predicted that Iran would soon exhaust resources under U.S. economic pressure, saying: “This is coming to an end quickly, in my opinion.”
