Trump’s Sudden ‘Change of Tone’: Signals Desire to End War Quickly

Darwin, 10 March :

After repeatedly threatening that the war would continue “as long as it takes to destroy Iran’s military power” and saying that “Iran has no option except surrender,” US President Donald Trump has suddenly spoken about ending the war quickly. His remarks came after a series of Iranian attacks on US bases in Israel and Arab countries and disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices above $100.

According to a report by Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump expressed hope that the war with Iran would end “very soon.” However, he also warned that Iran could face even larger attacks if it continues to obstruct shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump made these remarks to the media on Monday local time in Florida.

Although many Iranian facilities have been destroyed during the ten-day conflict, Trump described the war as a “brief operation.”

The report said Trump claimed that since the war began on February 28, the United States and Israel have carried out about 5,000 strikes inside Iran. However, Iran’s military capabilities have not been fully destroyed as Trump had hoped. The country continues to launch missile attacks every day.

At the early stage of the attacks on February 28, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts later selected his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the country’s new Supreme Leader. He will become Iran’s third Supreme Leader. This is being seen as the first time in Iran’s history that power has been transferred directly from father to son.

Meanwhile, the United States and Israel have continued launching repeated attacks on various Iranian nuclear facilities, civilian areas, and key infrastructure such as oil refineries. Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Supreme Leader was confirmed on Sunday, and Iran’s hardliners have pledged loyalty to him.

Although Trump has hinted at ending the war, he also warned that if Iran continues to block shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, it could face much larger military strikes.

Iran’s actions have already disrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, affecting global energy markets. The price of benchmark Brent crude has risen to $119 per barrel.

Speaking about the situation, the US President said, “I will not allow terrorist regimes to hold the world hostage or shut down oil supplies. If Iran does anything like that, they will face even tougher attacks.”

Trump also said the United States is planning to provide political risk insurance for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz and may even deploy US forces to escort them for security if necessary.

In response to Trump’s warning, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it is waiting to destroy US vessels in the strait.

Trump also said that the United States and Israel are continuing to strike Iran’s stockpiles of drones and missiles. He claimed that Iran’s missile capability has now dropped to about 10 percent of its previous level.

Earlier, speaking at a gathering of Republican supporters at his golf club in Doral, Florida, Trump described the war with Iran as a “short-term operation.” He stressed that the campaign would continue until the enemy is completely and decisively defeated.

Addressing the guests at the event, he said, “We had to conduct a small operation to remove some people. In many ways we have already won, but we haven’t won enough yet.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s remarks came shortly after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said they discussed the Ukraine war and the situation in the Middle East.

Trump added that Putin had expressed interest in helping address the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.