U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz declared Sunday that America has delivered a “dominant victory” over Iran militarily, economically, and diplomatically, even as hostilities continue in the Persian Gulf.
In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Waltz stated: “Militarily, the U.S. military has decimated Iran’s air force, their air defenses, missile capability, and missile production capacity.” He added that this represents a victory “the likes of which we haven’t seen in modern American military history.”
Waltz also reported that President Donald Trump is considering potential strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure at Kharg Island, a critical hub for the nation’s crude exports. “President Trump’s not going to take any options off the table,” Waltz said.
Kharg Island handles approximately 90% of Iran’s oil exports and has a daily loading capacity of about 7 million barrels. Waltz noted that U.S. strikes have so far targeted only military sites but suggested this could shift: “He deliberately hit the military infrastructure only, for now… I would certainly think he would maintain that optionality if he wants to take down their energy infrastructure.”
The comments followed Trump’s assertion that the United States has “beaten and completely decimated Iran,” though the conflict remains unresolved.
Waltz emphasized the economic pressure on Iran: “Their currency is tanking. Their foreign reserves are completely depleted.” He linked this collapse to recent uprisings and noted Iran’s diplomatic isolation, with a record 135 nations at the United Nations condemning the country for its “atrocious attacks on civilian infrastructure.”
When asked whether the war could end while the Iranian regime remains in power, Waltz stated: “I will leave it to the president where he decides, and when he decides.” He added that the U.S. has “never been in such a position of strength and the Iranian regime has never been in such a position of weakness.”
Waltz questioned whether newly nominated Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei holds firm control: “We will see if he’s actually really in charge… It’s unclear that he really has control of the country, if he’s even alive at this point.”
The U.S. military continues to target Iranian assets threatening global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Waltz said: “Iran can’t hold your economies hostage.” He also noted that 80% of oil from the Gulf heads to Asia and urged international cooperation in protecting maritime traffic.
In response to reports of Russian intelligence sharing with Iran, Waltz declined to discuss classified details but stated: “if they are doing it, it certainly hasn’t been effective because the Iranian air force, air defenses, missile forces, and Navy have been completely decimated.”
