US could end Iran war in two to three weeks even without a deal: Trump

US President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that the war with Iran could be nearing its conclusion, asserting that Tehran does not need to strike a deal with Washington for hostilities to end.

The President’s comment, delivered at the White House, indicated a shift in the US approach to the conflict, now in its fifth week, after having given mixed and conflicting statements and shifting goalposts since the beginning of the war on February 28.

“We’ll be leaving very soon,” Trump told media, adding that the exit could occur “within two weeks, maybe three.” When asked if a successful diplomatic agreement was necessary for ending ‘Operation Epic Fury’, Trump replied, “Iran doesn’t have to make a deal, no. No, they don’t have to make a deal with me.”

Trump emphasied that the objectives of the US military campaign have largely been achieved. Speaking from the Oval Office, he claimed that the Iranian military has been significantly degraded, stating, “It will take 15 to 20 years for them to rebuild what we’ve done to them.”

He added that Tehran’s naval, air, and anti-aircraft capabilities, as well as its telecommunications infrastructure, have been degraded to such an extent that Iranians will take 20 years to rebuild.

“If they come to the table, that will be good. But it doesn’t matter if they come to the table or not,” Trump said, noting that the United States is prepared to conclude the conflict without a formal negotiated settlement. He also reiterated that the primary goal of ensuring Iran does not possess nuclear weapons has been met.

The White House announced that Trump will address the nation on Wednesday at 9 p.m. EDT to provide a further update on the Iran situation after he said that the conflict may soon enter its final phase.

Trump may shed some more light on US foreign policy priorities, ongoing military operations, and global security threats.

US Secretary of State, supporting Trump’s agenda of winding down the war, indicated that Washington is exploring both direct talks with Tehran and a phased end to military operations, even in the absence of a formal agreement.

During interview with Fox news, Rubio claimed that Iran has been a threat for 47 years because of the nuclear weapons. He highlighted Iran’s nuclear ambitions: “They enriched uranium to 60 percent… from 60 to 90 per cent… takes 12 to 14 days… the only reason to have 60 per cent enriched uranium is to be able to enrich it to 90 per cent and put it in a bomb.”

The remarks contrast with earlier US threats to intensify operations if Iran rejected a 15-point ceasefire framework, which demanded Tehran halt uranium enrichment, commit not to pursue nuclear weapons, and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Rubio told Fox News that a meeting between US and Iranian officials could happen “at some point” and that the United States may “see the finish line, although not immediately,” he said.

As Trump talks to end the war, attacks were reported on both sides early on Wednesday, with drones hitting fuel tanks at Kuwait’s international airport causing a big blaze and authorities in Bahrain reporting a fire at an undisclosed company facility from an Iranian attack.

The Israeli military said it successfully targeted a person it described as the head of engineering for the Lebanon Corps in IRGC’s Quds Force.

It said Mahdi Vafa’i was killed in the central city of Mahallat.

It claimed that Vafa’i advanced “underground projects” in Lebanon and Syria for two decades as part of the elite Quds Force, including establishing infrastructure for Hezbollah and managing weapons storage.