Trump says Iran war nearly over, "practically nothing left" to target: Axios

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Trump says war with Iran will end "soon" as "practically nothing left" to target.
US and 'Israel' prepare for continued strikes amid Strait of Hormuz tensions.

US President Trump told Axios in a brief phone interview Wednesday that the war with Iran will end "soon", claiming there is "practically nothing left to target."

"Little this and that... Any time I want it to end, it will end," Trump said during the five-minute call.

US and 'Israel' Prepare for Ongoing Operations

Despite Trump's remarks, US and 'Israeli' officials say there is no internal directive on when the campaign will stop. 'Israeli' Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday the war will continue "without any time limit, for as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives and decisively win the campaign."

Officials from both countries are preparing for at least two more weeks of strikes on Iranian targets.

Strait of Hormuz Tensions

US intelligence reports indicate Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil. The number of mines is assessed as small, but the US responded by destroying 16 mine-laying boats on Tuesday, Trump confirmed.

CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the mission is to eliminate Iran’s ability to project power and harass shipping in the strait. "US forces continue delivering devastating combat power against the Iranian regime. US combat power is building, Iran’s combat power is declining," he said, noting a sharp drop in Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Trump Frames Strikes as Regional Accountability

Trump emphasized the campaign’s success, stating, "The war is going great. We are way ahead of the timetable. We have done more damage than we thought possible, even in the original six-week period."

He framed the strikes as retribution for Iran's long-term regional hostility. "They were after the rest of the Middle East. They are paying for 47 years of death and destruction they caused. This is payback. They will not get off that easy," Trump said.