The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has suggested that the ongoing war between the US and Iran could soon come to an end, stating that American forces have nearly exhausted their targets within the country.
In an interview with Axios, Trump said the US military has already carried out strikes on most of the locations initially identified for attack.
“Practically nothing left to target,” Trump said, adding that the war could conclude quickly.
“Any time I want it to end, it will end.”
The US president has recently sent mixed messages regarding how long the conflict may last. Earlier in the week, he hinted that the fighting might stop “soon.”
Meanwhile, Trump is facing growing pressure at home.
Reports indicate that his approval ratings have declined, while concerns are increasing over the global economic consequences of the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
However, Israel appears less inclined to bring the operation to a halt.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military campaign would continue for as long as required.
“This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives,” Katz said on Wednesday.
Iran, on its part, has warned that the war could become prolonged.
Ali Fadavi, an adviser to the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said both the United States and Israel should prepare for a lengthy and costly conflict.
According to him, the war could evolve into a protracted battle that may weaken the American military and negatively affect the global economy.
On Wednesday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also claimed responsibility for attacks on two commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz—a Liberia-flagged ship and a Thai bulk carrier—raising fresh concerns that the conflict could disrupt international shipping routes and global energy supplies.
