New Delhi, March 22 -- US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed to have "blown Iran off the map" while achieving his objectives, his latest proclamation of victory in a conflict that has, thus far, showed no sign of easing up.

Taking aim at coverage of the conflict by The New York Times, Trump wrote, "The United States has blown Iran off of the map, and yet their lightweight analyst, David Sanger, says that I haven't met my own goals."

"Yes I have, and weeks ahead of schedule! Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defense, and they want to make a deal. I don't! We are weeks ahead of schedule," the US President asserted, adding that the NYT "always gets it wrong".

Trump's comment - ess...