Trump Touts Swift Progress in Operation Against Iran, Says Cuba Also on His To-Do List

President Donald Trump said U.S. military operations against Iran are advancing ahead of schedule and pledged to address Cuba soon, calling it “just a question of time” during a White House ceremony Thursday in honor of the 2025 Major League Soccer champions.

Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his efforts in Cuba and Venezuela.

“What’s happening with Cuba is amazing,” Trump said. 

“They want to make a deal so badly,” Trump said of Cuba’s communist government. “You have no idea.” 

He said his administration would like to finish operations in Iran before moving on to Cuba. 

“We could do them all at the same time,” Trump said. “But bad things happen. If you watch countries over the years, you do them all too fast, bad things happen.”

Millions of people were without power in Havana and western Cuba on Wednesday after a boiler leak at a major power plant caused it to shut down for repairs. The shutdown was expected to last at least 72 hours, officials told Radio Rebelde in Cuba, and is the second in three months. 

The United States has increasingly placed pressure on Cuba’s energy procurement network, especially in the wake of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s capture in Caracas in January. Oil shipments to Cuba have plummeted, and the shortages have disrupted everyday life. 

In February, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a new licensing policy to streamline the resale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba, with the goal of supporting the island’s private sector and bolstering humanitarian efforts amid ongoing fuel crises. 

During Trump’s speech on Wednesday, which took place in the East Room, the president touched on foreign policy, outlining what he described as devastating blows to Iran’s military capabilities.

“The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before, actually,” Trump said. “We’re destroying more of Iran’s missiles and drone capability every single hour, knocking them out like nobody thought was possible.”

The president discussed the quick destruction of Iranian assets, including the navy, air force, anti-aircraft systems, communications, and missiles. 

“Their navy is gone,” he said. “Twenty-four ships in three days. That’s a lot of ships. Their anti-aircraft weapons are gone, so they have no air force, no air defense. All of their airplanes are gone. Their communications are gone. Missiles are gone. Other than that, they are doing quite well.”

Trump called on Iranian forces to abandon the 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. “They are only going to be killed. And now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people and help take back your country. You have a chance after all these years to take back your country.” 

Trump noted his administration is working to stabilize oil prices. 

“Yesterday, my administration announced decisive action to help keep down the oil prices, including offering political risk insurance for tankers transiting into the Gulf,” he said. “Further action to reduce pressure on oil is imminent, and the oil seems to have pretty much stabilized.”

He also noted progress in Venezuela under acting President Delcy Rodriguez, including oil exports benefiting the United States.

“Venezuela is going great,” he said.  “It is stabilized.”

The president said that he had no choice but to go into Iran. 

“They were gonna hit us, if we didn’t hit them,” Trump said. “Because they’re crazy.” 

At the event, Trump celebrated Inter Miami FC, including star player Lionel Messi, for their MLS Cup victory.