By Ginika Igboke
U.S. President Donald Trump said military operations against Iran are progressing faster than expected and suggested his administration may soon shift attention to Cuba, calling action there “just a question of time.”
Trump made the remarks during a ceremony at the White House on Thursday honoring the 2025 champions of Major League Soccer. The event celebrated Inter Miami CF and its star player Lionel Messi following the club’s MLS Cup victory.
During the ceremony, Trump praised Marco Rubio for his role in shaping U.S. policy toward Cuba and Venezuela, saying developments in the Caribbean nation could soon lead to negotiations with Washington.
“What’s happening with Cuba is amazing,” Trump said, adding that the Cuban government “wants to make a deal so badly.”
However, the president indicated that his administration intends to focus on the ongoing conflict with Iran before turning to other geopolitical issues.
“We want to finish this one first,” Trump said, referring to Iran. “But that will be just a question of time.”
Military Campaign Against Iran
Trump said U.S. forces, working alongside Israel, have inflicted significant damage on Iranian military capabilities since the campaign began. He claimed the joint operations have progressed far more quickly than military planners initially expected.
“The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy far ahead of schedule,” Trump said during the ceremony.
According to the president, U.S. strikes have targeted a wide range of Iranian military assets, including missile systems, drones, air defenses, communications networks, and naval forces. Trump said multiple Iranian ships were destroyed in the early days of the campaign and that key military infrastructure has been severely weakened.
He also issued a direct appeal to members of Iran’s armed forces and security services, urging them to abandon the country’s ruling regime.
“I’m once again calling on all members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the military, and the police to lay down their arms,” Trump said. “Now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people and help take back your country.”
Economic and Energy Considerations
Trump said his administration is also working to stabilize global oil markets amid the conflict. He announced measures designed to reduce risks for energy shipments traveling through the Persian Gulf region.
The administration recently introduced political risk insurance for tankers passing through the Gulf, a move aimed at keeping oil supplies flowing and preventing price spikes in global energy markets.
“Further action to reduce pressure on oil is imminent,” Trump said, adding that oil prices have already begun to stabilize.
Developments in Venezuela and Cuba
The president also pointed to political developments in Venezuela, saying the country has become more stable following the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
Trump said Venezuela is now exporting oil in ways that could benefit the United States and regional stability.
Meanwhile, Cuba is facing mounting economic challenges, including energy shortages that have led to widespread power outages. Millions of people in Havana and western parts of the island recently lost electricity after a boiler leak forced a major power plant to shut down for repairs.
The United States has increased pressure on Cuba’s energy supply network in recent months, particularly after Maduro’s capture disrupted Venezuelan oil shipments that had long supported the Cuban economy.
In February, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced a new licensing policy aimed at streamlining the resale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba in order to support humanitarian efforts and the island’s emerging private sector amid ongoing fuel shortages.
White House Celebration for Inter Miami
Although the event focused primarily on sports, Trump frequently shifted to foreign policy during his remarks.
The ceremony honored Inter Miami’s historic MLS Cup victory and recognized the impact of Lionel Messi, who joined the club in 2023 and helped transform the team into a championship contender.
Messi and other players from the team attended the event in the White House East Room, where they presented Trump with commemorative gifts, including a customized soccer ball.
While the celebration marked a milestone for American soccer, Trump used the occasion to highlight his administration’s foreign policy priorities, particularly the ongoing military campaign in Iran and the possibility of future actions involving Cuba.
Original article
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