Trump said the United States would be leaving Iran soon, suggesting that military operations could end within two to three weeks, in a notable shift in the White House’s tone after weeks of escalation. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that the president would deliver an address to the nation on Wednesday evening with an important update on Iran.
This direction reinforces a growing impression inside the administration that Trump wants to declare the campaign’s core objectives achieved and then gradually disengage, even without a final agreement with Tehran. At the same time, Washington continues to send mixed signals, talking about the war nearing its end while still leaving the possibility of military escalation on the table.
Details
Trump linked a near-term U.S. exit from the war to what he described as success in dealing with Iran’s nuclear programme, while the administration continued lowering the ceiling of some of its declared goals to the destruction of conventional capabilities such as missiles, drones, and military factories. The Associated Press noted that this shift comes at a time when the war is still weighing on energy markets and raising fuel costs, with the Strait of Hormuz crisis continuing and attacks across the region ongoing.
What’s Next?
Attention now turns to Trump’s expected address on Wednesday evening, as it may determine whether Washington is truly moving toward announcing the beginning of a withdrawal from the war, or toward a formula that combines political de-escalation with keeping military pressure tools in place.
