President Donald Trump has declared that the ongoing United States war with Iran could end at any moment, claiming American forces have already exhausted most of their military targets inside the country.
Speaking in an interview with Axios on Wednesday, the US leader insisted the conflict could be wrapped up swiftly if he chooses.
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.”
Trump’s remarks come amid growing uncertainty about the duration and direction of the conflict, with the president previously sending mixed signals about the goals and timeline of the military campaign.
Earlier in the week, he had also hinted that the war could end “soon,” sparking speculation that Washington may be looking for a quick way out.
The president is currently facing mounting political pressure at home, as fresh polls suggest declining public support and concerns over the global economic impact of the US-Israeli military operation against Iran.
Critics have also accused the White House of entering the war without fully preparing for possible consequences, including Iran disrupting oil shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
With the November midterm elections approaching, political observers believe Trump could be seeking a swift conclusion to the conflict to prevent further political damage to his party.
However, Israel has signaled it is not ready to slow down the military campaign.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared on Wednesday that the operation would continue for as long as necessary.
“this operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives.”
Iran, on its part, has warned that the conflict could spiral into a prolonged and destructive confrontation.
Ali Fadavi, adviser to the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, issued a stark warning during an appearance on state television.
The United States and Israel should “consider the possibility that they will be engaged in a long-term war of attrition that will destroy the entire American economy and the world economy, and will cause all of its military capabilities to be eroded to the point of destruction.”
Tensions escalated further on Wednesday after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they had struck two commercial vessels, a Liberia-flagged ship and a Thai bulk carrier, in the strategic Hormuz maritime chokepoint.
