Update: April 1, 1:30 am UTC: This article has been updated with additional details about US President Donald Trump’s comments and related background.
US President Donald Trump said the United States could conclude its military campaign in Iran within weeks, asserting that the objective of eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities has been met.
Speaking to reporters at the White House during an executive-order signing ceremony on Tuesday, Trump said the exit could come “within two to three weeks” because “there’s no reason for us to do this.” “I had one goal: They will have no nuclear weapons, and that goal has been attained. They will not have nuclear weapons, but we’re finishing the job and I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer to do the job, but we want to knock out every single thing they have,” he added.
The conflict in the Middle East has intensified since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February, prompting an Iranian-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping channel. The turmoil has pushed oil prices higher and pressured cryptocurrencies and broader financial markets.
US exit not contingent on reopening the Strait of Hormuz
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump told aides he is willing to end the military campaign even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. He told reporters that a deal with remaining Iranian leadership is not a prerequisite for withdrawal. “If they come to the table, that’ll be good. But doesn’t matter whether they come or not. We’ve set them back. It’ll take 15 to 20 years for them to rebuild what we’ve done to them,” he said.
“They have no navy. They have no military. They have no air force. They have no telecommunications. They have no anti-aircraft systems. They have no leaders, you know. Their leaders are all gone. That’s why we have regime change,” Trump added.
Those remarks came hours after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon that Iran still retains the ability to launch offensive missiles despite ongoing strikes aimed at degrading its military capabilities.
Markets react: crypto and stocks post gains
Earlier in March, oil prices slipped while cryptocurrencies posted modest gains after Trump suggested the conflict could be nearing its end. Over the past 24 hours, the crypto market capitalization rose about 1.1%, with Bitcoin trading near $67,858 for a roughly 1.6% gain and Ether up about 3.5 to trade near $2,097, according to CoinGecko. Major US equity indices also advanced: the S&P 500 closed up 2.91% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained about 2.49%.
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