U.S. President Donald Trump said that American forces would leave Iran “very soon,” indicating that Washington may end its military campaign within weeks even without a formal agreement with Tehran.
The remarks, delivered from the Oval Office, mark the clearest signal yet of an imminent U.S. withdrawal after nearly a month of intense conflict across West Asia.
The statement is significant as it suggests the United States is prepared to conclude the war on its own terms, focusing on degrading Iran’s capabilities rather than securing a negotiated settlement.
Trump said the U.S. objective was to cripple Iran’s military and nuclear potential, adding that a deal with Tehran was not necessary for ending the conflict.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said ongoing talks were “making progress” and described the coming days as decisive, while also pointing to significant setbacks within Iran’s military.
Officials maintained that U.S. strikes had weakened Iran’s infrastructure and command structure, reinforcing Washington’s assessment that its core objectives were largely achieved.
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However, Iran has continued to deny that direct negotiations are underway, highlighting a contradiction between U.S. claims of diplomatic progress and Tehran’s public stance.
The conflict has also triggered tensions with U.S. allies, with several European countries declining to support operations, prompting criticism from Trump and senior officials.
Meanwhile, global energy markets remain volatile due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil supply passes.
There was no immediate public reaction from Iranian civilians, but analysts say the prospect of a unilateral U.S. withdrawal could leave unresolved security risks in the region.
The war began in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, escalating long-standing tensions over Tehran’s regional influence and nuclear programme.
Since then, thousands have been reported killed and key infrastructure damaged, while diplomatic efforts have struggled to keep pace with military developments.
Analysts say the timeline outlined by Trump will be critical in determining whether the conflict de-escalates or transitions into a prolonged regional instability.
