Trump Says “War Will End Soon” vs. Iran Declares “We Decide When It Ends,” U.S.–Iran Conflict Sinks Deeper Into Uncertainty

Trump Claims “War With Iran Will End Very Quickly, 80% of Missile Bases Destroyed”
Tenth Day of Military Operations Seen as Attempt to Calm Markets and Contain Public Anxiety
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Rebuts Trump’s “Imminent End” Remarks, Reaffirms Determination to Fight

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pressed Iran to accept what he calls an “unconditional surrender,” has moved to dispel growing concerns over a protracted war. Trump’s remarks, delivered on the tenth day of U.S. military operations against Iran, appear aimed at easing fears of rapid escalation driven by surging oil prices and the emergence of a hard-line successor within Iran’s leadership. Nevertheless, with Tehran rallying around Mojtaba Khamenei—the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—as the next supreme leader and reinforcing its determination to resist Washington, a comprehensive peace settlement across the region is widely expected to face a prolonged and turbulent path.

Trump “Iran Completely Devastated”

On the 9th (local time), Trump delivered remarks at a Republican event held at the Miami Doral Resort in Florida, describing the U.S. military campaign dubbed “Epic Fury,” launched on the 28th of last month, as an operation that would conclude “very quickly.” “When the operation is finished, the world will be a far safer place than it is now,” he said. Trump asserted that roughly 80% of Iran’s missile bases and launch platforms had been neutralized, claiming missile launches had been reduced to “an extremely limited level.” He added that Iran’s missile capabilities had been “effectively eliminated” and that drones had also been shot down.

Trump characterized the military action as “a short-term excursion to remove certain individuals,” saying, “I don’t know when Iran will surrender, but they should have surrendered two days ago.” He continued, “Iran no longer has leadership left and nothing of substance remains of the country,” adding that while Iran had once been viewed as a formidable power, “we have completely shattered them.” According to Trump, Iran’s terrorist leaders had either already been eliminated or were counting down to their demise. He reiterated that the United States would not step back “until our enemies are completely and decisively defeated,” signaling continued military pressure. Asked when the operation might end, he replied, “Not this week,” but stressed it would occur “very soon.”

In a phone interview with CBS News the same day, Trump also said he believed “the war is very complete.” He argued that Iran’s navy, air force, and communications infrastructure had effectively collapsed, and that the progress of the campaign had advanced “very substantially” beyond the originally projected four-to-five-week timeline. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical oil shipping lanes—Trump noted that vessels were currently passing through the waterway and said Washington was reviewing options for “taking it over.” He warned that Iran had already expended most of the weapons it could launch and advised Tehran not to attempt “any clever moves,” adding that if it did, “that country will meet its end.”

Wall Street Rallies on Hopes of an Early End to the War, Oil Prices Retreat Toward the $80-Per-Barrel Range

Trump’s comments fueled expectations of a near-term conclusion to the conflict, triggering broad swings across global capital markets. On the 9th, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 47,740.80 on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), up 0.50% from the previous session. The S&P 500 climbed 0.83% to 6,795.99, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 advanced 1.38% to finish at 22,695.95. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index—closely watched for its influence on large semiconductor stocks in the Korean market—surged 3.9%, marking a strong rebound. Financial analyst Peter Wells told the Financial Times (FT) that the president’s assertion that Iran’s military capabilities had been effectively neutralized removed one of the key uncertainties weighing on markets.

Oil prices, which had surged sharply amid fears of a prolonged conflict, also showed signs of rapid stabilization. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures had climbed to $119.48 per barrel in early trading, the highest level in roughly three years and nine months since June 2022. Following Trump’s remarks, however, heavy selling pressure pushed prices sharply lower to around $88.61. Brent crude traded on the London ICE Futures Exchange also retreated below the $100-per-barrel threshold, closing at $98.96.

Asian equity markets, which had recently come under strong correction pressure due to their heavy dependence on Middle Eastern oil imports, are also showing signs of recovery. Japan’s Nikkei 255 index has risen 3.33% to 54,484.46, while Taiwan’s Taiex index is up 3.04% at 33,087.71. Major indices including China’s Shanghai Composite, set to open soon, are also widely expected to begin trading in positive territory.

Hardliners Double Down With Mojtaba Successor Appointment

Despite the market optimism, the battlefield has not fully calmed. On the 9th, NATO air-defense systems intercepted a ballistic missile that had entered Turkish airspace, marking the second such incident since the conflict began. Israel has also continued additional airstrikes against targets inside Iran and Lebanon, maintaining elevated levels of military tension.

Political developments inside Iran add another layer of uncertainty. Tehran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed in the U.S. strike, as the country’s next supreme leader. Earlier, in an interview with the online outlet Axios on the 5th, Trump dismissed Khamenei’s son as a “lightweight,” declaring that he was “not someone we can accept.” Trump added that the United States wanted a leader who could bring “harmony and peace” to Iran and warned that otherwise another war could erupt within five years. On the 3rd, he had also stated that anyone seeking to become Iran’s leader would ultimately “face death,” delivering another forceful message.

Iran, however, proceeded to select Mojtaba despite those warnings. Known for his staunchly conservative stance and close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mojtaba’s elevation is widely interpreted as a signal that Iran’s hard-line factions have consolidated power and intend to continue resisting the United States.

Indeed, the IRGC swiftly rebutted Trump’s suggestion of an imminent end to the conflict. In a statement released on the 9th, the organization declared, “It is not the United States but us who will determine when this war ends.” The IRGC warned that if attacks by the United States and Israel continued, “not a single liter of oil will be exported from this region.”

Iran has also reversed its pledge to halt attacks against neighboring Middle Eastern countries within just one day, further intensifying regional tensions. On the 7th, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar—three Gulf states—came under Iranian attack. The strikes occurred only hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had apologized to Gulf nations and expressed willingness to halt attacks.

In a televised address on the 6th, Pezeshkian said that an interim leadership council had approved a decision to suspend attacks on neighboring states unless those countries directly targeted Iran. “I personally apologize to neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he said. Yet immediately after the remarks, Iranian hard-liners reportedly pushed back strongly, declaring, “We do not apologize.” Under Iran’s political system, the president holds largely symbolic authority, while real power—including command of the IRGC—rests with the supreme leader.

Ultimately, the key question surrounding any early end to the conflict is whether the Trump administration will pursue another decapitation strike aimed at eliminating Mojtaba following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. Military security experts note that Trump has repeatedly suggested Iranian leaders unacceptable to Washington would not remain in power for long, leaving open the possibility of an operation targeting Mojtaba as well. Gulf states are also signaling a tougher stance. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud recently told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a phone call that Riyadh would have no choice but to retaliate if attacks on Saudi territory or energy infrastructure continued. Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also held a call with Trump to discuss the escalating regional tensions triggered by the strikes on Iran.