WASHINGTON D.C. — President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that the joint U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran will conclude “soon,” asserting that allied strikes have largely exhausted the country’s viable military targets.
The President’s Remarks on Timelines During a brief telephone interview with the U.S. news outlet Axios, President Trump indicated that the operation is entering its final phases and emphasized his unilateral authority in determining when hostilities will cease.
“Little this and that — any time I want it to end, it will end,” the president said.
Axios noted that the president’s emphasis on his sole discretion over the war’s conclusion represents a rhetorical shift; he had previously stated that any decision to end the campaign would be made mutually with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite the president’s public forecast of a swift conclusion, allied military planners indicate the campaign is not yet over. Axios reported that both U.S. and Israeli officials are currently preparing for operations to continue for at least two more weeks.
CENTCOM Battle Damage Assessment The president’s assertion that there is “practically nothing left to target” follows extensive bombardment by U.S. and Israeli forces. On Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Brad Cooper provided a detailed battle damage assessment in a video message posted to the social media platform X.
According to Commander Cooper, the strikes have sharply curtailed Iran’s naval capabilities and industrial defense base. The operation has reportedly resulted in the destruction of:
More than 5,500 strategic targets across the country.
Over 60 Iranian ships.
The entirety of Iran’s fleet of Sulaymani-class warships.