WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said Iran has asked United States to end hostilities. Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, “The new Iranian government’s president is far less extremist and far more intelligent than his predecessors. They have just asked the U.S. to end the war.”
Trump added a stark warning: “We will consider this once the Strait of Hormuz is open and free. Until then, we will continue to blow up Iran, as it is said, back to the Stone Age.”
This explosive statement appears to respond to remarks by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who told European Council President António Costa that Iran possesses the “necessary will” to end the war, but only if certain conditions are met, including guarantees to prevent future aggression.
Trump and top US officials seem eager to exit the conflict in April. Trump hinted that America could soon be leaving the region. Earlier, on March 9, he said the war is “almost over” and promised it would end “very soon.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added last week that American operations in Iran could wrap up “within the next few weeks,” while White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt had suggested the conflict could last up to six weeks. On Monday, Trump declared that the U.S. is in “serious negotiations” with Iran to end military operations, contingent on a deal and the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iran has denied entering into any negotiations with the U.S., maintaining a firm stance.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stressed urgency of completing operations, stating that negotiations are “moving forward.” Trump concluded with a bombshell timeline: the U.S. could exit Iran “in two to three weeks” once it is confident that the Iranian government will be unable to produce nuclear weapons “for several years.”
Trump hints at exit from Iran conflict without formal deal as war drags on
