US President Trump: I left many infrastructure facilities in Tehran standing

US President Donald Trump made statements regarding the war in the Middle East and oil prices in a telephone interview with the US press. Reiterating his claims that the US has destroyed Iran's military power, Trump said, "We are doing very well. They want to make a deal, but I don't think they are ready for a deal yet."

Regarding the attacks on the strategic Kharg Island, which serves as a maritime port for up to 90 percent of Iran's petroleum product exports, Trump said, "Kharg Island has been disabled. But except for the pipes, I didn't touch the pipes. Because as you know, it takes years to build and assemble these things."

Stating that they could strike the island again, Trump said, "I told them clearly. I would ruin that place." Trump also stated that they deliberately left a gap of about 90 meters around everything related to oil on the island, knowing that rebuilding infrastructure takes a long time. Trump said, "I left many infrastructure facilities in Tehran standing. Because if I had destroyed them, it would have taken years to rebuild. I could have disabled the power plants within an hour, and that would have been a major trauma. That's why I try to avoid such things."

Stating that the conflict is a "small price" Iran is paying for its actions, Trump said, "As soon as the war ends, oil prices will drop like a rock."

When asked to provide a timeline for when oil prices would fall, Trump said, "As soon as the war ends. I don't think it will take long."

When asked about the possibility of the US launching a ground operation against Iran, Trump replied, "I don't want to say that." When asked if his thinking on this matter had changed, the US President commented, "No, it hasn't changed."