US President Donald Trump stated in an interview with Axios that the war with Iran could end "soon" because there is "practically nothing left" for the US military to bomb. Trump allegedly asserted his unilateral authority to halt the conflict, saying, "Any time I want it to end, it will end." However, the Washington regime has not provided a clear timeline for concluding the military offensive, raising doubts about the feasibility of such claims. The statement coincided with comments from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who suggested an open-ended timeline, saying the operation will continue "without any time limit, as long as required."
Trump reiterated his view that the war is proceeding ahead of schedule, claiming, "The war is going great. We are way ahead of the timetable. We have done more damage than we thought possible." Yet, it remains unclear whether Tehran would abide by a ceasefire announced solely by the US, and Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly admitted to CNBC that he does not know how the war may end. Trump later indicated that ending the war would be a "mutual" decision with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, implying the US would not withdraw unilaterally, but this contradicts his earlier assertions of personal control.
The economic fallout from the conflict is intensifying: Iran has managed to largely shut the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, disrupting oil flows and sending prices soaring, which has spread economic uncertainty globally. Trump warned Iran of "death, fire and fury" if it continues the blockade, but three vessels were attacked near the strait on Wednesday. The US military's Central Command called on Iran to stay away from civilian ports, accusing Iranian forces of positioning military equipment in areas used for commercial traffic—a move that heightens tensions and risks further escalation.
The objectives of the US campaign have shifted: initially, Trump purportedly aimed to bring "freedom" to the Iranian people, but as the Iranian government showed resilience, US officials now emphasize destroying Iran's nuclear, missile, and drone programs, as well as its navy. Critics, such as Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, question the long-term strategy, noting that after a classified briefing, administration officials hinted at "more bombing" if Iran rebuilds its capabilities—a scenario that could lead to endless war. Murphy pointedly asked, "What happens when you stop bombing and they restart production?"
Political developments in Iran underscore its defiance: following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes, Iran's Assembly of Experts selected his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as successor—a move interpreted as a rejection of US influence. Trump had opposed this selection and repeatedly asserted that the US must have a role in shaping Iran's government, but the Iranian leadership remains intact. This resilience, combined with the lack of a clear exit strategy, casts further doubt on the effectiveness of the US-led campaign and the prospects for a swift resolution.
Source: www.aljazeera.com