Trump Claims Iran War Could End Within Three Weeks as Nuclear Goals Are Met

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that American military operations against Iran could conclude within two to three weeks, declaring that the primary objective of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon had been achieved, as the conflict entered its fifth week with no ceasefire in place. Trump told reporters at the White House that the U.S. would be "leaving very soon," adding the exit could come "within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three." He said Iran did not need to reach a formal deal with Washington as a condition for the U.S. to wind down its campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran had the "necessary will" to end the war, but stipulated conditions including security guarantees against future attacks, payment of indemnities, and a complete cessation of hostilities. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump would deliver a prime-time address to the nation at 21:00 ET on Wednesday to provide an "important update on Iran."

„We'll be leaving very soon. Within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three.” — Donald Trump via Reuters

„Iran doesn't have to make a deal, no. No, they don't have to make a deal with me.” — Donald Trump via Reuters

The war between the United States and Israel against Iran began on February 28, 2026, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets. Iran responded by attacking Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions, according to Reuters. It is now in its fifth week as of April 1, 2026.

Rubio sees finish line, warns NATO alliance may need review U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington could see the "finish line" in the Iran war and confirmed that messages were being exchanged between the two sides, with the potential for a direct meeting. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump was willing to make a deal but that the U.S. was prepared to continue fighting if Iran did not comply. U.S. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said American forces had struck over 150 Iranian naval vessels and continued to hit key manufacturing and research sites. Rubio also warned that Washington would need to reexamine its relationship with NATO after the conflict, citing European allies denying the U.S. basing rights and overflight permissions.

„We can see the finish line. It's not today, it's not tomorrow, but it is coming.” — Marco Rubio via Reuters

„I do think, unfortunately, we are going to have to reexamine whether or not this alliance that has served this country well for a while is still serving that purpose, or has it now become a one-way street where America is simply in a position to defend Europe, but when we need the help of our allies, they're going to deny us basing rights, and they're going to deny us overflight.” — Marco Rubio via Reuters

France blocks U.S. ammunition flights, Macron fires back France denied overflight rights to U.S. aircraft carrying ammunition for operations in the Middle East on Saturday, March 28, drawing sharp criticism from Trump on his Truth Social platform. Trump said France had helped "very little" and that the United States "will remember" the decision. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking during an official visit to Japan, responded indirectly, saying that "predictability has value" and warning that allies who change course without notice must be taken into account.

„Predictability has value. We are here and you know where we are going. This is already a lot in this era in which we live, believe me.” — Emmanuel Macron via RFI

France is among roughly 20 countries that committed to joining operations to protect oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, but French media noted that none of those countries are willing to take military risks while Iran threatens retaliation. Trump, for his part, said the U.S. "will not have anything to do with" the strait going forward, suggesting that countries relying on it — naming France specifically — would bear responsibility for keeping it open. European leaders have broadly refused to participate in offensive operations against Iran, and France and Italy have pushed back against some U.S.-Israeli military actions, according to Reuters sources.

Iran strikes tanker and Kuwait airport, threatens U.S. tech firms Iran hit a tanker off the coast of Qatar and struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, continuing its campaign of attacks on Gulf Arab neighbors even as Tehran acknowledged for the first time that Washington had been in direct contact about a possible ceasefire. Iran's Revolutionary Guards also issued threats against 18 U.S. companies operating in the region, including Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla, and Boeing, warning they would be targeted from 8 p.m. Tehran time on Wednesday. Trump dismissed the threat, saying of Iran: "They don't have much left to threaten." Israel, meanwhile, launched airstrikes in Lebanon that killed at least five people, and sounded warnings of incoming fire from both Yemen and Iran. The economic toll of the conflict continued to mount, with Brent crude trading above $104 a barrel and U.S. gasoline prices surpassing $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022.

104 (USD per barrel) — Brent crude price, up over 40% since war began

4 (USD per gallon) — U.S. average gas price, highest since 2022

2026-02-28: 74, 2026-04-01: 104

Brent crude (USD/barrel): 104, U.S. gas price (USD/gallon): 4, Brent crude increase since war start (%): 40