Nothing left to hit in Iran, Trump says War ending soon
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U.S. forces have targeted Iranian naval assets, including the destruction of at least 16 mine-laying vessels in recent days, as Tehran has attempted to disrupt maritime traffic in the vital waterway.
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran will conclude “soon,” asserting that allied strikes have left “practically nothing left to target” in the country.
In a brief phone interview with Axios, Trump described the conflict, now in its second week, as progressing exceptionally well and far ahead of initial projections.
“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,” he said.
He added, “Little this and that… Any time I want it to end, it will end,” emphasizing that the decision to halt operations rests solely with him.
The president’s comments come amid intensified fighting, including renewed Israeli strikes on Tehran and reports of Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. forces have targeted Iranian naval assets, including the destruction of at least 16 mine-laying vessels in recent days, as Tehran has attempted to disrupt maritime traffic in the vital waterway.
Iran has vowed a prolonged “war of attrition” and warned of severe economic consequences for the U.S., while reporting over 1,300 civilian deaths and damage to nearly 10,000 civilian sites from allied bombardment.
Trump’s optimistic assessment contrasts with mixed signals from his administration. He has previously conditioned an end to hostilities on Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” and officials have not outlined a firm withdrawal timeline.
The Pentagon has reported U.S. casualties, including seven service members killed and over 140 wounded in Iranian retaliatory strikes.
The conflict, dubbed Operation Epic Fury by U.S. officials, aims to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities, navy, and pathways to nuclear weapons.
Global oil markets remain volatile due to threats to the Strait of Hormuz, prompting releases from strategic reserves by countries like Japan and Germany.
Trump made the remarks shortly after speaking at a news conference at Trump National Doral Miami earlier this week, where he similarly touted military progress while addressing economic fallout from rising energy prices.
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