US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran could end “soon” but said it was unlikely the conflict would end within the week.
In an interview with White House reporters, President Trump offered an optimistic but vague timeline for ending the conflict, which is already in its third week.
Asked if hostilities could end this week, the president initially said “yes,” but then made clear he did not expect an immediate conclusion.
“I don’t think so, but it will happen soon. It won’t take long,” Trump said.
“When this is all said and done, we will have a much safer world,” he added. “It will be finished soon.”
Retaliatory strikes across the region
President Trump also spoke about Iran’s retaliatory attacks across the Middle East following the February 28 US-Israeli airstrikes. Tehran has launched airstrikes targeting several countries in the region, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Asked if he was surprised that Iran was targeting Gulf countries, Trump said intelligence officials did not expect such attacks. “None of the greatest experts thought they would attack,” he said, adding that several of the countries attacked have maintained relatively neutral relations with Iran.
Trump on Hormuz security efforts
Trump also said he plans to soon announce countries that have agreed to assist the United States in reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
“There are a few. We will announce some names soon,” the leader said. He noted that so far some allies have been reluctant to escort ships through the waterway, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil supplies pass each day.
“What surprises me is that they are not willing to help,” Trump said, arguing that countries that rely heavily on oil shipments across the strait should be more supportive of U.S. efforts.
Europe rules out expanded naval role
Meanwhile, European leaders have also been cautious about expanding their military role in the conflict.
Foreign ministers of European Union (EU) member states discussed ways to secure ships in the Strait of Hormuz, but ultimately decided against expanding naval operations.
“This is not Europe’s war,” EU diplomat Kaya Callas said. But she added that Europe’s interests are being directly affected by disruptions to global energy supplies.
200 US soldiers injured
Meanwhile, the Pentagon said about 200 U.S. service members were injured during operations related to conflict in several countries in the region.
Most injuries were minor and more than 180 troops have already returned to duty, according to U.S. Central Command spokesman Timothy Hawkins.
Thirteen American soldiers have been killed since the campaign began.
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