Trump said the ongoing conflict involving Iran could wrap up within weeks, even as military activity across the region continues and questions about long-term stability remain unresolved.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump told reporters that Iran is not required to enter a formal agreement for hostilities to stop, suggesting the situation could conclude quickly. He also indicated that while regime change was not the initial objective of US airstrikes launched on February 28, the leadership landscape in Iran has shifted.
According to Trump, the current figures in power are individuals the United States can engage with, despite Iranian officials rejecting the idea that negotiations are taking place.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated after Kuwait reported significant damage at its main airport. Authorities said a strike caused a “large fire” at fuel storage facilities, raising concerns that the conflict could spill further into the region.
Inside Iran, US and Israeli strikes have continued targeting key infrastructure, including pharmaceutical facilities and steel plants in cities such as Isfahan and Farokhshahr. The attacks highlight the ongoing pressure campaign aimed at weakening industrial and strategic capabilities.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, pushed back on the idea of diplomatic progress, telling Al Jazeera he has no confidence in talks with Washington. While acknowledging indirect communication, he emphasized that no formal negotiations are underway.
At the same time, Israel Katz signaled a hardline stance in Lebanon, stating that homes in the south would be demolished and that large numbers of displaced residents would not be allowed to return.
Trump also claimed that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been significantly delayed, estimating a setback of 15 to 20 years, though he did not provide evidence to support that assessment.
Key questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding Iran’s stockpile of more than 600 kilograms of enriched uranium and how it would be secured moving forward.