Turning point in US-Iran relations? Trump: Will end the war within "two to three weeks" and an agreement may also be reached!

According to reports from multiple media outlets, including CCTV, local time on Tuesday (the 31st) evening, U.S. President Donald Trump said from the White House that the United States would end its fighting with Iran within “two to three weeks,” and that an agreement with Iran might be reached before then. He also hinted that the U.S. had basically achieved its military objectives and would leave the Strait of Hormuz issue for other countries to resolve.

That day, when Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office, he said: “I estimate that within two weeks, maybe three weeks, we’ll leave, because we have no reason to continue doing this.”

“We are badly hurting them. Last night we destroyed a large number of missile manufacturing facilities,” he added.

Meanwhile, Trump also did not rule out the possibility of reaching an agreement with Iran.

He said, “We are in the closing stages. I think we can probably finish within about two weeks, maybe a few more days, but we hope to destroy everything they have. Of course, there’s also the possibility of reaching an agreement before that, because we are going to strike the bridges. We have already struck some, and we are also considering striking a few key bridges. But if they’re willing to sit down at the negotiating table, that would be a good thing,” he said.

“But whether they come or not doesn’t matter. We’ve already put them at a disadvantage,” he added.

Trump further said that there was only one goal for launching the military operation: to get Iran to give up nuclear weapons—and that goal has already been achieved.

U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth also said that day that the United States’ current “top priority” is to seek an agreement to end the war with Iran. He said, “We are working together, but the main effort is still to reach an agreement; as long as it’s possible, we all hope to bring about an agreement.”

Meanwhile, Iran also issued statements that day aimed at easing tensions in the conflict. Iranian President Pezeshkian said that Iran is willing to end the war, but only if its demands are met—especially getting assurances that it will no longer be subjected to aggression.

He emphasized that the current tensions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz are caused by hostile actions, and that the only way to restore normal order is to stop aggressive attacks. He also said that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to ships of the aggressor and its allies, and that any external force intervening in this war for any reason would lead to serious consequences.

On the other hand, when Trump was asked what his plan was to reduce the gasoline prices that have risen since the war began due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, he replied, “I just need (military force) to leave Iran. The price will naturally come down.”

Finally, he again expressed dissatisfaction with allies such as the United Kingdom for not participating in the U.S. military operation against Iran. Trump said that with the U.S. military not yet withdrawing from the military operation against Iran, “at some point I will withdraw troops, but not right now. Countries must step in and deal with this matter. Iran has been badly hurt, but they must step in to finish their own work.”

“They (the allies) weren’t willing before to reach out to help anyone. NATO’s performance has been terrible. So if they (the allies) want oil, let them come over themselves and take the oil away… It’s time for them to do something for themselves,” he added.

(Source: Caixin League)