US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the war with Iran could end “soon”, claiming American forces have already inflicted massive damage on Tehran’s military capabilities.
Speaking in a brief phone interview with Axios, Trump said there was “practically nothing left to target” in Iran.
“Little this and that… Any time I want it to end, it will end,” Trump said, adding that the conflict was progressing faster than expected.
“The war is going great. We are way ahead of the timetable. We have done more damage than we thought possible, even in the original six-week period,” he told Axios.
However, despite Trump’s optimistic tone, US and Israeli officials say there has been no formal directive on ending the fighting yet, and preparations are underway for at least two more weeks of strikes.
Mines in Strait of Hormuz
US intelligence recently detected that Iran had begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most crucial oil shipping routes.
Trump confirmed that US strikes destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying boats on Tuesday, disrupting Tehran’s plans to threaten shipping lanes.
The commander of United States Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, said American forces were steadily weakening Iran’s ability to operate in the region.
“US forces continue delivering devastating combat power against the Iranian regime. US combat power is building, Iran’s combat power is declining,” Cooper said in a video message, adding that Iranian missile and drone attacks had dropped sharply.
Trump also accused Iran of threatening the broader Middle East.
“They were after the rest of the Middle East. They are paying for 47 years of death and destruction they caused. This is payback. They will not get off that easy,” he said.
Unclear endgame amid political pressure
Despite Trump’s claims of success, uncertainty remains about the war’s endgame. As per news agency Associated Press, the president has shifted between demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and suggesting the conflict could end quickly.
US war secretary Pete Hegseth said it was ultimately up to Trump to decide “whether it’s the beginning, the middle or the end” of the war.
The conflict has now entered its second week and is already affecting the wider Middle East and global markets, with rising oil prices and economic uncertainty. Roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed to commercial shipping amid the escalating tensions.
Iran has warned that it could block the crucial waterway completely. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has vowed Tehran would not allow “a single liter of oil” to pass through the strait until the United States halts its bombing campaign.
The conflict has also triggered political and economic concerns. Recent surveys by Quinnipiac and Fox News found that only about three in ten Americans believe the military action has made the country safer, while a CNN poll suggested many fear the strikes could make Iran an even greater threat to the US, according to AP.
Meanwhile, analysts say domestic political pressure could shape Trump’s decisions. According to news agency AFP, observers believe the president may seek a quick declaration of victory to limit economic fallout, especially rising oil prices ahead of upcoming US elections.
Even so, Israeli leaders have signalled they may continue operations longer.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said the war would continue “without any time limit, for as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives and decisively win the campaign.”