Donald Trump has claimed US strikes on Iran have inflicted major damage on the country’s military, saying Iran’s navy, air force and communications infrastructure have been heavily hit.

Speaking at an event in Florida, Trump said American forces had destroyed 42 Iranian naval vessels in recent days and had knocked out much of Iran’s air power and telecommunications systems.

He also said US attacks targeted sites linked to Iran’s nuclear programme, repeating the claim that Tehran had been close to obtaining a nuclear weapon before the strikes began.

Trump described the campaign as a significant success and said it had delivered a decisive blow to Iran’s military capability.

The US president is also expected to travel to Dover Air Force Base later for the dignified transfer of six US service members killed so far in the conflict.