US President Donald Trump has indicated that the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran could end soon, stating that there are few remaining targets for American forces inside Iran.
Speaking in an interview with Axios, Trump said there is “practically nothing left to target” in Iran and suggested the war could end quickly. “Any time I want it to end, it will end,” he said.
The conflict, which began on February 28, has drawn global attention amid rising oil prices and growing concerns about instability in the Middle East. Trump has sent mixed signals about the war’s objectives and timeline but has increasingly hinted at bringing the military campaign to a close.
The administration has come under political pressure over fears that Iran could disrupt global oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for international energy supplies.
On Wednesday, tensions escalated further when Iran reportedly fired on two commercial vessels in the Gulf, leaving at least one ship ablaze. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later claimed responsibility for strikes on a Liberia-flagged vessel and a Thai bulk carrier in the strategic maritime corridor.
Despite the incidents, Trump assured reporters that security in the waterway would improve quickly. He also claimed US forces had destroyed most of Iran’s mine-laying ships in a single night, though he noted Tehran had not yet deployed mines in the channel.
Trump further asserted that Iran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened, claiming its navy, air force, air defenses, and leadership had largely been eliminated. However, he added that the United States had not yet concluded its operations.
The US government has said the war aims include preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and dismantling its ballistic missile program. Washington has not formally declared regime change as an objective, even after the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump declined to comment on whether he would declare victory while the new leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains in power.
Meanwhile, United States Central Command warned that civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz could be considered legitimate targets, accusing Iran of using the facilities for military operations that threaten international shipping.
The conflict has also drawn criticism after The New York Times reported that a US military investigation found an American Tomahawk missile mistakenly struck an Iranian elementary school during the early hours of the war. Trump said he was unaware of the report when asked by journalists.
As speculation grows that the US president may seek a swift end to the conflict ahead of upcoming elections, Israel Katz said Israel intends to continue its military operations “without any time limit” until its objectives are achieved.
Iran, however, has maintained it is prepared to continue fighting if the attacks persist.
