Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested that the ongoing war with Iran could end quickly, saying there are very few remaining targets for American forces.
In an interview with Axios, Trump said US strikes had already destroyed most of Iran’s military capabilities and that the conflict might conclude soon.
There is “practically nothing left to target” in Iran, Trump said, adding that the war would end “soon.”
“Any time I want it to end, it will end,” he was quoted as saying.
The war began on February 28 following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel, which killed Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and triggered a major regional conflict.
Since then, Trump has delivered mixed signals about the timeline and objectives of the war. However, his recent comments increasingly suggest that Washington may seek a swift conclusion, particularly as global oil prices surge amid disruptions in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Critics have accused the White House of launching the military campaign without fully preparing for possible consequences, including Iranian interference with oil tanker traffic through the key waterway.
On Wednesday, Iran reportedly fired on two commercial vessels in the Gulf, setting at least one of them on fire.
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for an economic trip, Trump said the situation around the Strait of Hormuz would stabilize quickly.
“You’re going to see great safety, and it’s going to be very, very quickly,” he said.
The US president also claimed that American forces had destroyed most of Iran’s mine-laying ships in a single night, though he added that he did not believe Tehran had yet deployed mines in the waterway.
Trump further asserted that Iran’s navy, air force, air defenses and much of its leadership had been eliminated during the conflict.
However, he stressed that the military operation was not yet over.
“We’re not finished yet,” he said.
The Trump administration has previously stated that the war’s objectives include preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and dismantling its ballistic missile program. Officials have not explicitly confirmed whether regime change is among the goals, despite the death of Iran’s former leader Ali Khamenei.
When asked if he would declare victory while Khamenei’s successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains in power, Trump declined to comment.
Earlier, the US military’s United States Central Command warned that civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz could be treated as legitimate targets. The command accused Tehran of using commercial port facilities to support military operations that threaten international shipping.
Meanwhile, the United States has faced criticism over reports that a US missile struck an elementary school in Iran during the early stages of the conflict.
According to The New York Times, a US military investigation found that a Tomahawk missile hit the school due to a targeting error.
When asked about the report, Trump responded, “I don’t know about it.”
Political pressure is also mounting at home as analysts speculate that Trump may attempt to end the war quickly to limit political fallout ahead of upcoming congressional elections.
However, Israel Katz signaled that the conflict may continue. He said Israel’s military campaign would proceed “without any time limit” until its objectives are achieved.
Iran has also indicated it is prepared to continue fighting. On Wednesday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for attacks on two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, including a Liberia-flagged vessel and a Thai bulk carrier.
What you should know
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world, carrying a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Any military escalation in the region can quickly disrupt global energy supplies and trigger price spikes.
The ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran has already caused instability in shipping routes, financial markets and oil prices, raising concerns among governments and energy producers about the risk of a broader
