"We are doing very well on the combat front, to say the least. Someone asked, 'On a scale of 10, how would you rate it?' I replied, 'About 15 points'", President Donald Trump stated at a meeting with technology leaders at the White House on march 4, referring to the air strike campaign against Iran.

US President Donald Trump during a roundtable discussion at the White House on march 4. Photo: AFP.

"We are in a very strong position, and their leadership is rapidly disintegrating. Anyone who intends to become a leader faces death", he said, adding that Tehran's ballistic missile arsenal is being "quickly swept away".

The president reiterated the accusation that "Tehran is on its way to possessing nuclear weapons" as the reason for the attack. "When madmen possess nuclear weapons, bad things happen", he declared.

The US leader pledged to continue joint air strikes with Israel, after having killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the opening day of the campaign on february 28.

Trump's statements came as the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran entered its fifth day and continued to spread. A US submarine on march 4 sank an Iranian frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka, killing at least 87 people, with dozens more missing.

The US administration faces criticism after days of issuing conflicting messages about the reasons for attacking Iran, especially since Trump had previously stated during his election campaign that he would not allow new wars.

The president has not yet clarified his plan for what will happen after the war, nor has he indicated whether he seeks regime change in Iran or will work with those remaining in the apparatus willing to engage in dialogue with Washington.

The White House stated that Iran's clerical regime is being "completely crushed" and must "pay in blood", but refused to confirm whether Trump seeks regime change in Tehran.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US is "actively considering" its role in Iran after the joint campaign concludes.

Plumes of smoke rise after an attack in the capital, Tehran, Iran, on march 4. Photo: AFP.

Leavitt refuted "false information" that Trump had agreed to arm Kurdish separatist militias in Iran to enable them to rebel against the government.

However, she confirmed that Trump had discussed matters with Kurdish leaders. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the president appeared to be considering supporting Kurdish groups.

The White House Press Secretary also stated that the US and Israel expect to "fully control" Iranian airspace "in the coming hours", echoing comments from the Pentagon.

By Vu Hoang (AFP)