US President Donald Trump on Wednesday once again claimed that the war with Iran could end “soon,” saying the conflict would conclude whenever he decides.
In a phone interview with Axios, Trump suggested that the objectives of the ongoing military campaign had largely been achieved and that there were few remaining targets.
“Little this and that… Any time I want it to end, it will end,” Trump said, adding that there is “practically nothing left to target.”
Despite Trump’s remarks, military operations in the region have continued amid rising tensions across the Middle East.
Israel Says Strikes Will Continue
Earlier in the day, Israel Katz, the defence minister of Israel, said the joint campaign with the United States would continue indefinitely until all objectives were achieved.
Speaking about the ongoing strikes, Katz said operations targeting Tehran and other areas in Iran would continue.
“This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives and decide the outcome of the campaign,” Katz was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse.
He added that attacks would continue “day after day, target after target,” while also suggesting that sustained pressure could encourage Iranians to rise up against the government led by Ali Khamenei.
Trump Warns Iran Against Retaliation
Trump’s latest remarks come a day after he told CBS News that the war had become “very complete,” claiming that Iran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened.
According to Trump, Iran now lacks several key defence capabilities.
“They have no navy, no communications, no air force,” he said, adding that Iranian missiles and drones had been largely neutralised.
He also warned Tehran against attempting any retaliation.
“They’ve shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute or it’s going to be the end of that country… If they do anything bad, that would be the end of Iran and you’d never hear the name again.”
Warning Over Strait of Hormuz
On Tuesday, Trump also issued a warning over reports that mines could have been placed in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil shipping route.
Posting on Truth Social, the US President warned of unprecedented military consequences if the mines were confirmed.
“If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait… we want them removed immediately,” Trump wrote, adding that failure to do so would trigger military action “at a level never seen before.”
The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant portion of global oil shipments, making any disruption in the region a major concern for international energy markets.