US President Donald Trump on Monday said that the United States Navy has sunk 46 advanced Iranian naval vessels during the ongoing conflict, describing them as “top-of-the-line” ships. He made the claim while addressing a gathering of congressional Republicans in Washington, DC, recounting a conversation with a senior military official about naval operations against Iran.
Trump said he had asked whether the US could capture and reuse Iranian ships instead of destroying them. According to him, the official responded that sinking them was “more fun,” a remark he shared while highlighting the scale of American naval action.
His statement came amid shifting remarks about the war’s trajectory. Earlier in the day, Trump told a US media outlet that the conflict was “pretty much” over and that American forces were far ahead of the originally projected four-to-five-week timeline. He said Iran’s naval, communication, and air capabilities had been severely degraded.
However, hours later, while speaking at the Republican gathering, Trump struck a different tone. He said the United States had “not won enough” and indicated that military operations would continue until Iran was “totally and decisively defeated.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by asserting that Tehran would decide when the war ends. The force warned that if US and Israeli attacks persist, it would block regional energy flows and prevent “one litre of oil” from leaving the area.
The conflict has disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes. Tankers have remained stranded for days, and some producers have slowed or halted output as storage capacity tightens.
Hostilities began on February 28 when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iranian targets. Iran retaliated with attacks on Israeli positions and Gulf locations hosting American military bases. The strategic objectives of the two allies differ, with Israel seeking regime change in Tehran while the United States focuses on dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities and nuclear programme. Trump has also indicated that the war could end if a compliant government takes shape in Iran.
