US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran is no longer a "great power," using pointed language to describe Tehran’s role in the region. He also said Washington would not allow Iran to act as the "bully" of the Middle East.
Trump’s comments frame Iran as a country whose influence has weakened, at least in his view, while signaling that the United States intends to resist any attempt by Tehran to dominate regional affairs. The statement reflects a confrontational tone on Iran and its place in Middle Eastern politics.
By pairing the claim that Iran is no longer a major power with a warning about regional bullying, Trump presented the issue as both strategic and political. His remarks suggest the administration sees Iran less as an unstoppable force and more as a rival whose behavior can be checked.
The statement is likely to draw attention across the region because it touches on the balance of power in the Middle East and the US role in shaping it. Even in brief form, Trump’s message was clear: the United States does not intend to let Iran set the terms in the region.
