[3/12, 9:26 AM] rosewendy: U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the ongoing war between the United States and Iran could end soon, claiming there are few remaining military targets for American forces inside the country.
Speaking in an interview with Axios, Trump said U.S. operations had significantly weakened Iranian military capabilities, leaving “practically nothing left to target.”
“There is practically nothing left to target, and the war will end soon,” Trump said. “Any time I want it to end, it will end.”
The conflict, which began last month, has heightened tensions across the Middle East and triggered spikes in global oil prices. Critics have also accused the White House of entering the war without fully preparing for possible consequences, including disruptions to oil shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian forces reportedly fired on two commercial vessels in the Gulf, leaving at least one ship ablaze, raising fears about the security of global shipping routes.
Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House for an economic-focused trip, Trump sought to reassure the international community about safety in the region.
“You’re going to see great safety, and it’s going to be very, very quickly,” he said, referring to the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. president also claimed American forces had destroyed most of Iran’s mine-laying naval vessels during a rapid overnight operation.
“We took out most of their mine-laying ships in one night,” Trump said, adding that Washington did not believe Tehran had yet deployed mines in the busy waterway.
Trump further argued that Iran’s military infrastructure had been severely degraded.
“Iran’s navy, air force, air defenses and leaders are gone,” he said, though he acknowledged that the military campaign was still ongoing. “We’re not finished yet.”
Washington has previously stated that the war aims include preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and dismantling Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
However, the administration has not confirmed whether regime change is part of its objectives, even after the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump declined to say whether he would declare victory while Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains in power.
Earlier, the U.S. military warned that civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz could be considered legitimate targets if they are used for military operations.
“The Iranian regime is using civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz to conduct military operations that threaten international shipping,” the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the war has drawn criticism after reports that a U.S. missile mistakenly struck a school in Iran during the early hours of the conflict.
According to a report by The New York Times, a U.S. military investigation found that an American Tomahawk missile hit the elementary school due to a targeting error.
Asked about the report, Trump responded briefly: “I don’t know about it.”
Political analysts say speculation is growing that Trump could push for a quick end to the conflict as pressure mounts ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
However, Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, said the campaign would continue until all objectives are achieved.
“This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives,” Katz said.
Iran, meanwhile, says it is prepared to retaliate. The country’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for attacks on a Liberia-flagged vessel and a Thai bulk carrier passing through the Strait of Hormuz maritime chokepoint.
