Washington DC: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Washington could end its military campaign against Iran as early as the next two to three weeks, hinting at a possible end to the month-long war that has disrupted global energy markets. The White House later said the President would address the nation at 9 pm on Wednesday (6.30 am Thursday IST) to provide what it called an important update on Iran.
"We'll be leaving very soon," adding that the withdrawal could happen "within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three," Trump said.
Trump also said a deal with Iran was not necessary for the US to end the conflict. "Iran doesn't have to make a deal, no," he said, adding, "No, they don't have to make a deal with me."
However, he said the military campaign would end only after Iran had been "put into the stone ages" and no longer had the ability to quickly develop a nuclear weapon. "Then we'll leave," Trump said.
Trump's statement comes after Iran's President, Masoud Pezeshkian, said his country had the "necessary will" to end the war, provided its enemies guaranteed it would not flare up again.
