U.S. expects Iran War to end in Weeks, not Months

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The United States has declared it is on the verge of decisively weakening Iran’s military capabilities, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing that operations could conclude “in a matter of weeks,” not months.

Speaking in Paris after high-level engagements with G7 allies, Rubio outlined an aggressive strategy aimed at dismantling Iran’s naval and air power, crippling its missile and drone production capacity, and significantly reducing its arsenal of launch systems.

“We are on or ahead of schedule,” Rubio said, adding that U.S. forces are “very confident” of achieving their objectives in the near term.

The remarks signal a critical phase in the conflict, with Washington projecting confidence in its ability to degrade Iran’s military strength without deploying ground troops.

Rubio insisted that the mission’s goals remain unchanged: neutralising Iran’s ability to threaten global security, particularly through missile development and potential nuclear ambitions.

However, the U.S. is already looking beyond the battlefield. Rubio warned that one of the immediate post-conflict challenges could emerge in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, where Iran may attempt to impose a tolling system.

He described any such move as “illegal” and “dangerous,” urging allied nations to prepare a coordinated response to ensure free navigation in international waters.

While the United States has not requested direct military involvement from its allies in the ongoing operations, Rubio stressed that countries most affected by disruptions in the strait must be ready to act collectively if tensions escalate after the conflict.

Despite concerns about a prolonged war, the U.S. maintained that the operation would not drag on.

Rubio dismissed suggestions of a drawn-out conflict, stating that American forces are achieving their targets faster than anticipated and can complete the mission without boots on the ground.

The Secretary of State also took a hard stance on Iran’s leadership, accusing its ruling system of using national wealth to fund terrorism and destabilise regions across the Middle East rather than investing in development.