Trump tells CNN the 'big wave' against Iran is coming
Mar 2nd 2026
In a nine-minute CNN phone interview, President Trump said US forces are hitting Iran and promised a larger wave of strikes to come, while claiming significant Iranian losses and criticizing past diplomacy.
- The comments came in a nine-minute phone interview with CNN host Jake Tapper on Monday.
- Trump said the US military is "knocking the crap out of" Iran but that "the big wave" of strikes has not yet begun.
- He said he expected the conflict to last about four weeks and that operations are ahead of schedule.
- Trump said he was surprised by Iranian attacks on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
- He claimed initial US strikes killed 49 Iranian leaders and said Iran may not have clear leadership now.
- He cited past actions including the killing of Qasem Soleimani and the June 2025 "Midnight Hammer" strikes, and criticized the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal.
- Trump said the US is doing nonmilitary work to help the Iranian people while urging Iranians to stay inside because it is not safe outside.