Washington, United States. President Donald Trump said the United States could end its military campaign against Iran within two to three weeks without a formal agreement, even as fresh attacks were reported across the region and in Iran.
Trump signals potential withdrawal timeline
Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, “We’ll be leaving very soon,” and said a diplomatic deal was not a prerequisite for withdrawal. “Iran doesn’t have to make a deal with me,” he said.
The White House said Trump would address the nation on Wednesday at 9 p.m. EDT to provide what it called “an important update on Iran.”
Rubio comments and shift from earlier conditions
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News the two sides could meet “at some point” and that the US could “see the finish line.” He added: “It’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but it is coming.”
The remarks contrasted with Washington’s earlier position, which had demanded Iran commit to abandoning nuclear weapons, halt all uranium enrichment and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz as conditions of a 15-point ceasefire framework.
Market reaction
Wall Street rose on the signals, with the S&P 500 closing 2.9% higher on Tuesday. Asian markets extended the rally on Wednesday, with MSCI’s broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan up 2.7% and Tokyo’s Nikkei rising as much as 3.9%.
Iran rejects characterization of contacts as negotiations
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said he had been receiving direct messages from US special envoy Steve Witkoff but said these did not constitute negotiations. He described them as threats or exchanged views delivered through intermediaries.
Threats and polling
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that 18 US companies, including Microsoft, Google, Apple, Tesla and Boeing, would be targeted from 8 p.m. Tehran time on Wednesday. Trump said he was unconcerned.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found two-thirds of Americans believe the US should end its involvement in the Iran war quickly, even if that means falling short of the Trump administration’s stated goals.
New attacks reported across the region and in Iran
Drones struck fuel storage at Kuwait’s international airport, causing a large blaze. Bahrain reported a fire at an undisclosed facility following an Iranian attack. A tanker was hit near Doha.
Explosions were heard across multiple districts of Tehran after US-Israeli air strikes, with Iran’s air defences activated in response. Iran’s largest passenger terminal at Bandar Abbas was struck overnight, and the deputy governor called it a “criminal” attack on civilian infrastructure.
What do you think the latest statements from Washington indicate about the likely duration of the conflict?