U.S. strikes destroy nine Iranian ships, Trump says

President Trump on Sunday said U.S. attacks delivered a major blow to Iran’s navy.

Mr. Trump, posting on Truth Social, said the strikes destroyed and sank nine ships, “some of them relatively large and important.”

“We are going after the rest — They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea, also!” he posted. “In a different attack, we largely destroyed their Naval Headquarters. Other than that, their Navy is doing very well!”

Mr. Trump is relying on media interviews and social media posts to keep the American public updated on his decision to strike Iran, a major Middle Eastern nation of over 90 million people.

The president posted a video statement early Saturday to announce the initial strikes against Iran, which stems from his desire to prevent Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon and supporting terror groups in the region.

The U.S. conducted the strikes in a joint operation with Israel.

Tehran sought vengeance Sunday after the military strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials. The Islamic Republic struck Israel and other targets in the Middle East, killing three American service members.

Mr. Trump opted to strike Iran after negotiators failed to reach a deal on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

The strikes were met with general support from Republicans, though some in the GOP said the burgeoning conflicts broke with Mr. Trump’s pledge to avoid foreign entanglements. Congressional Democrats are dismayed, saying Mr. Trump should have consulted Congress first.