US Strikes Missile Bases Near Strait of Hormuz...Trump Says "We Must Inflict Permanent Damage"

[Financial News] The United States of America (US) has directly struck Islamic Republic of Iran missile bases near the Strait of Hormuz, raising the level of military pressure on Iran. US President Donald Trump stressed that Iran must suffer "permanent damage" so severe that it would be difficult for the country to rebuild for a long time.
On the 17th (local time), United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US forces in the Middle East, announced, "Several hours ago, US forces successfully dropped multiple 5,000‐pound (about 2.3‐ton) bunker‐buster bombs on reinforced Iranian missile bases located along the coast near the Strait of Hormuz." CENTCOM added, "The Iranian anti‐ship cruise missiles deployed at these bases had posed a threat to international vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."
That same day, President Trump, speaking about the situation with Iran, said, "It will take them 10 years to repair the damage that has been done so far," and added, "I think we need to make this a little more permanent." He continued, "That way, no other president will ever have to go through something like this," emphasizing, "We cannot allow madmen to control nuclear weapons."
His remarks were widely interpreted to mean that, although Iran has already suffered significant damage from US and Israeli strikes, a more decisive blow is needed to prevent problems such as renewed attempts to acquire nuclear weapons. The "permanent damage" he referred to appears to mean weakening Iran's military capabilities—particularly its nuclear and missile development capacity—so severely that it would be difficult to restore them for many years.
whywani@fnnews.com Hong Chae-wan Reporter