President Donald Trump said in a recent interview that he believes the United States’ military campaign against Iran is approaching its end, and that a key oil shipping route will reopen once U.S. forces withdraw.
In comments to The New York Post on March 31, Trump said that the U.S. has significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, and suggested the conflict could conclude soon. “We’re not going to be there too much longer,” he told the outlet, adding that the United States has hit thousands of targets across Iran.
One central issue in the conflict has been the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply normally flows. Trump said he expects the strait to “automatically open” once U.S. forces leave, though he did not outline a specific plan for how that would happen.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized that degrading Iran’s military strength — including its navy and offensive capabilities — has been a key part of the campaign. He told Reuters that U.S. forces could potentially conclude their mission within two to three weeks, even without a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.
The president’s statements come amid ongoing concern over global oil markets and gasoline prices, which have risen amid the conflict and disruption of shipping routes. The route’s reopening is seen as central to stabilizing energy flows and reducing price pressures worldwide.
While Trump expressed confidence that the war is nearing its end, his comments stopped short of providing a firm timetable or clear process for how the strait would be reopened — a key concern for traders, allies, and energy consumers globally.
