Trump calls Iran war a “great honour” as US-Israel strikes intensify, casualties mount

U.S. President Donald Trump has described ongoing military operations against Iran as a “great honour,” in a strongly worded social media post that underscored the escalating rhetoric surrounding the intensifying conflict in the Middle East.

Writing on his Truth Social platform early Friday, Trump claimed American forces had crippled the military capabilities of the Iran, declaring that Tehran’s navy and air force had been effectively destroyed and that key leadership figures had been eliminated.

“We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time,” Trump wrote, adding, “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today.”

In the same message, he drew a symbolic link between his position as the 47th U.S. president and the 47-year history of the Islamic Republic, stating that while Iran had “been killing innocent people all over the world,” he now considered it an honour to strike back.

The remarks came as U.S. and Israeli forces continued sustained air and missile strikes on Iranian targets, marking the 13th consecutive day of combat operations since the campaign began on February 28.

Explosions were reported in and around Tehran, with military and security installations among the targets.

Iran’s newly installed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public statements on Thursday, vowing continued resistance and warning that Tehran could open “other fronts” in the conflict.

Khamenei assumed leadership after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed in the opening phase of the war. Iranian officials confirmed the younger Khamenei was wounded but described his injuries as minor.

Despite Washington’s confident tone, the conflict has produced heavy losses on multiple sides. Estimates indicate that more than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran alone, including senior military officials, while regional fatalities have reportedly exceeded 1,700.

The United States Central Command said American forces have struck over 6,000 targets since operations began.

The Pentagon also disclosed that about 140 U.S. service members were wounded during the first ten days of fighting, eight of them severely. At least seven American troops have been killed in combat.

Equipment losses have also been reported. A U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq on Thursday during an operation dubbed “Epic Fury,” though officials said the incident was not caused by enemy action.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military campaign aims to create conditions for regime change in Tehran, appealing directly to Iranian citizens.

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“It is in your hands. We are creating the optimal conditions for the fall of the regime,” he said at a news conference.

Israeli strikes have also targeted sites in Lebanon, including areas of Beirut, in response to rocket attacks by Hezbollah militants. Lebanese authorities reported civilian casualties, including children.

In Saudi Arabia, air defence systems intercepted dozens of drones headed toward the kingdom’s Eastern Province, while pro-Iranian militias in Iraq claimed responsibility for attacks on foreign facilities.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that a French soldier was killed in an attack on the Kurdish regional capital of Erbil, where international troops are stationed.

Oil prices have surged to around $100 per barrel amid fears of prolonged disruption to supplies. Brent crude briefly spiked above $119 earlier in the week following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil normally passes.

Iran has indicated it may continue targeting energy infrastructure, describing control of the strait as leverage in the conflict.

With both sides signalling determination to continue fighting — and new fronts potentially opening — analysts warn that the conflict risks evolving into a broader regional war with far-reaching humanitarian and economic consequences.

Trump’s latest remarks, delivered amid ongoing bombardment and rising casualties, highlight the sharply polarized narratives shaping international reactions as the crisis deepens.