- The US administration previously signaled that it was ceasing the use of military force against Iran and was embarking on a path of its economic suffocation
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said Washington is considering whether to bring its war with Iran to a swift conclusion or allow the conflict to gradually lose momentum.
“We could end it very quickly,” Trump told reporters. “The question is, do we want to finish it off, or do we just want to let it wither.”
The remarks come amid continued uncertainty over Washington’s military strategy and its broader approach to Tehran.
The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding envisaging an immediate ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon.
However, the United States resumed large-scale strikes against Iran overnight on July 8, accusing Tehran of violating existing understandings concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital maritime passage through which approximately 25 per cent of global oil supplies and around 20 per cent of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies pass.
Subsequently, the US administration signalled a shift in its approach, indicating that it was moving away from the use of military force towards intensifying economic pressure on Iran through tougher sanctions.
Trump’s latest comments suggest that Washington is still weighing its options for ending the conflict, although it remains unclear whether the administration will pursue a decisive military conclusion or allow the confrontation to gradually subside under sustained economic pressure.
BY: The Times Union
