U.S. President Donald Trump has made a series of strong statements about Iran, the economy, trade, Russia, Ukraine and the Strait of Hormuz. On Iran, Trump said he does not consider the situation a full-scale war, calling it a “military conflict.” He argued that the fighting is relatively small compared with previous U.S. wars such as Vietnam and Afghanistan. Trump also pointed to the 18 U.S. deaths connected to the conflict while comparing them with the much larger American losses in earlier wars. Trump warned that the United States could soon attack Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply protected site near Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. He has previously said the U.S. is closely monitoring the location and could strike it if Iran does not reach a deal. Trump also claimed that the U.S. has gained major control over Iran and said there had been no shooting for several days. His comments come after months of military pressure and efforts to push Tehran toward negotiations. The president also discussed the Strait of Hormuz, saying new pipelines and alternative routes could reduce the importance of the waterway. The Strait is a major route for global oil shipments, and disruptions there have raised concerns about energy prices and inflation. The White House has said U.S. forces are helping keep shipping moving through the area. On the economy, Trump argued that stronger economic growth does not necessarily cause inflation. He also said the United States should aim for much higher GDP growth instead of accepting growth rates of only 2% to 4%. Trump took an especially tough position on international trade. He said the U.S. has no obligation to trade with countries that treat America badly. He also criticized the trade relationship with the European Union and Canada, arguing that the United States could benefit by reducing trade with countries he believes take advantage of America. On Russia and Ukraine, Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin is not planning to attack NATO territory. He also described the conflict as partly a personality problem between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying their deep hostility is making negotiations harder. Trump said his representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are working on a proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. They are expected to meet officials in Moscow and Kyiv as Washington renews its diplomatic efforts. Trump also defended his claim that he has helped end eight wars and complained that he has not received enough recognition for those efforts.