Trump says US destroyed Iranian navy, sets no timeline for talks

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said there is no fixed timeline for negotiations with Tehran, while asserting that the United States had inflicted heavy losses on Iran's navy. In remarks reported on Thursday, he claimed that 20 Iranian boats were destroyed overnight and that Iran's naval fleet had been neutralized. Trump said Washington's financial strength would lead to a major victory against Iran, comparing the situation to what he described as a win on Venezuela. He added that the United States would secure a similar outcome in Iran in the near future. The president said the confrontation with Tehran would continue for as long as necessary and that there was no set schedule for a return to the negotiating table. He argued that economic pressure combined with military operations was taking a toll, pointing to what he described as high inflation in Iran's economy. Trump also accused Iranian authorities of mistreating their own population and killing large numbers of protesters. No independent confirmation of the naval losses or casualty claims was immediately available.