Donald Trump has said that the war with Iran may end “soon” because there is “practically nothing left” for the United States military to bomb.
In an interview with Axios on Wednesday, the US president emphasised that he can make the decision to stop the fighting whenever he likes.
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“Any time I want it to end, it will end,” Trump was quoted as saying.
His statement coincided with comments from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, suggesting that the timeline for ending the war is open-ended.
“The operation will continue without any time limit, as long as required, until we accomplish all objectives and achieve victory in the campaign,” Katz said, according to The Times of Israel.
In his remarks to Axios, Trump reiterated his view that the war is proceeding ahead of schedule.
“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,” Trump said.
The US president has repeatedly made pronouncements about the war ending soon, but Washington has not provided a clear timeline for concluding the military offensive.
It is also unclear whether Tehran would abide by a ceasefire announced solely by the US.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian laid out on Wednesday Tehran’s conditions for ending the war, including compensation for the US-Israeli assault and “firm” international guarantees that Iran would not be attacked again.
On Tuesday, the news outlet CNBC asked Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff how the war may end. He said, “I don’t know.”
Trump told The Times of Israel earlier this week that ending the war would be a “mutual” decision with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that the US would not pull out of the operation unilaterally.
Hormuz warning
Officials in the Trump administration have been boasting about the war efforts, stressing daily that Iran is receiving heavy blows and that its military capabilities are receding.
The US and Israel have launched thousands of bombs against Iran, killing at least 1,300 people.
Still, Tehran has continued to fire drones and missiles against Israel, while also targeting US assets across the Middle East as well as energy and civilian sites in the Gulf region.
Despite Trump’s repeated threats, Iran has also managed to keep the Strait of Hormuz largely shut to commercial shipping, disrupting the flow of oil out of the region.
The blockade has sent oil prices soaring and spread economic uncertainty across the world.
Earlier this week, Trump warned Iran of “death, fire and fury” if it continues to block ships in Hormuz.
But on Wednesday, three vessels were attacked near the strait.
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