Trump says the U.S. is looking at winding down its military effort against Iran

(SeaPRwire) –   President Donald Trump indicated that the U.S. is contemplating “winding down” its military operations against Iran, suggesting that the nation is nearing the achievement of its objectives as the conflict, which has caused significant disruption in financial markets and the region, approaches its fourth week.

“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East,” Trump stated in a social media post on Friday. He outlined these objectives as “Completely degrading” Iran’s missile capabilities, “destroying” the country’s defense industrial base, eliminating their navy and air force, preventing Tehran from ever acquiring “Nuclear Capability,” and safeguarding Middle Eastern allies.

Trump’s remarks followed his earlier dismissal of a ceasefire and his keeping open the possibility of deploying ground troops, underscoring the president’s continued issuance of conflicting signals regarding his aims and strategies for the U.S. and Israeli engagement with Iran.

It remains uncertain how Iran would react to any unilateral U.S. decision to halt strikes, particularly after recent attacks targeting the country’s energy infrastructure and resulting in the deaths of prominent officials, including security chief Ali Larijani. Iranian officials have become hesitant to even discuss the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran persists in launching retaliatory strikes against its Gulf Arab neighbors.

Trump also addressed the strait, a vital shipping lane responsible for approximately one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments, which has been largely impassable since hostilities commenced. Trump had been urging allies to assist the U.S. in securing the strait militarily but suggested on Friday that this responsibility would fall to other nations.

“The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not!” Trump declared. “If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated. Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them.”

Trump’s statements concluded a volatile Friday for financial markets, which had been influenced by a Bloomberg News report indicating the Iranian regime’s firm stance against negotiations over Hormuz and by news that the U.S. was preparing options for deploying ground troops.

Earlier: Iran Unwilling to Talk About Hormuz as Regime Digs In

Oil prices saw another surge on Friday, with the global benchmark Brent closing above $112 a barrel, its highest level since mid-2022. Prices later moderated to trade near $108 a barrel in light post-settlement trading following Trump’s comments about potentially scaling back the conflict.

Global stock markets continued their decline, with the U.S. equity benchmark experiencing a significant drop, ending the week down nearly 2%. Treasury yields increased as traders factored in a 50% probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike by October. Meanwhile, gold recorded its worst weekly performance in four decades.

Just over an hour before his social media post, Trump had rejected the notion of a ceasefire and expressed confidence that Hormuz would reopen “itself,” despite allies’ reluctance to provide assistance.

“I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You know, you don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side,” the president had stated at the White House. “We’re not looking to do that.”

In recent days, Trump had voiced increasing frustration after his appeals for allies to help secure passage through the waterway were met with refusal, leading him to criticize U.S. partners, including NATO and China.

“NATO could help us, but they so far haven’t had the courage to do so. And others could help us, but we don’t use it,” the president said regarding the strait. “At a certain point, it’ll open itself.”

Read more: Trump Fans Iran Quagmire Fears With Debate on Seizing Kharg

Adding to market volatility was the administration’s consideration of a ground operation. Trump was non-committal when questioned by reporters about his plans concerning Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub. U.S. officials have indicated that the White House is directing the deployment of hundreds of Marines to the Middle East as it evaluates a plan to capture the outpost.

“I may have a plan or I may not, but how would I ever say that to a reporter?” Trump remarked.

Any move to utilize ground troops to gain control of Iran’s energy facilities would present risks for Trump, including increased danger for American forces beyond their current exposure in the conflict, and an expansion of the campaign’s cost and scope.

The Pentagon has requested an additional $200 billion from Congress to fund the war, sending another mixed signal about the administration’s projected duration of the conflict. Western intelligence assessments and individuals familiar with the matter suggest that the regime in Tehran is not on the verge of collapse, and Iranian officials are consolidating around the remaining leadership.

Higher gasoline prices represent another challenge for Trump and the Republican Party in the lead-up to the November midterm elections. Retail gasoline and diesel prices in the U.S. have climbed to their highest levels since 2022, with California’s energy regulator already issuing warnings against price gouging as some gas stations are charging as much as $8 per gallon.