Three weeks after a conflict began between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, President Donald Trump signalled a possible military withdrawal.
On Friday he posted on Truth Social, “We are very close to achieving our objectives while considering withdrawing our extensive military operations in the Middle East regarding the terrorist regime in Iran”.
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz “must be patrolled and controlled by other nations that use it – the United States does not do so”. He added that he could assist those countries with efforts in the strait, but that assistance would no longer be necessary once the threat from Iran is eliminated. “It will be an easy military operation for these countries” he wrote.
He listed the campaign’s targets-which he believes are almost achieved-as weakening Iran’s rocket capabilities and launch sites, destroying its weapons industry, and neutralising its navy, air force, and air‑defence systems. Trump also stated that Iran must never come even near nuclear capability, warning that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively if such a situation were to arise.
The allies in the region that the United States will especially protect, according to Trump, include Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.