Middle East war live: Trump says Iran war could end in 'two weeks, maybe three'

Lead

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the war with Iran could be over in "two weeks, maybe three," according to multiple reports from France 24, The Hindu, and The Economist. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the United States would be leaving Iran "very soon," but insisted "we're finishing the job," adding, "We want to knock out every single thing they have" and noting that "it's possible that we'll make a deal before that." His remarks came ahead of a scheduled address to the nation, which the White House said would provide "an important update on Iran."

The president also said it would be up to other countries to secure the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping channel, a key passage for global oil supplies.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage across the three sources broadly aligns on the central facts: Trump's timeline for ending the war, his remarks on the Strait of Hormuz, and the continued deployment of US troops. France 24 reported that "thousands of additional US troops are heading to the Middle East," while The Hindu and The Economist also noted troop movements. The Economist added that "more American troops arrived in the Gulf region."

There is some variation in emphasis. The Hindu's report focused on the potential US exit from the conflict and included details on regional casualties and market reactions. France 24 highlighted Israel's plans for a "security zone" in Lebanon and Lebanon's denunciation of those plans. The Economist provided a broader regional snapshot, noting Iranian attacks on a Kuwaiti oil tanker and the first Houthi strike on Israel since the war began.

All three outlets quoted both Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who said Tehran had the "necessary will" to end the war but only if its enemies guaranteed it would not flare up again—a condition The Economist described as security "guarantees."

Key Claims

• Trump's timeline for the war: Trump said the war with Iran may be over in two or three weeks, according to all three sources. He added that the United States would be leaving Iran "very soon" but would "finish the job" first.
• Strait of Hormuz responsibility: Trump said other countries will have to secure the Strait of Hormuz shipping channel, as reported by France 24 and The Hindu.
• US troop deployment: Thousands of additional US troops are heading to the Middle East, as reported by France 24 and The Hindu. The Economist noted that more American troops had arrived in the Gulf region.
• Netanyahu's declaration: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint campaign against Iran had "changed the face of the Middle East," according to The Hindu. France 24 quoted him as saying Israel would continue to "crush Iran's terror regime."
• Pezeshkian's conditional offer: Iran's president said Tehran had the "necessary will" to end the war if its enemies guaranteed it would not flare up again, as reported by The Hindu and The Economist.
• Casualties in Lebanon: The Hindu reported, citing Lebanon's Health Ministry, that seven people were killed in Israeli strikes in south Beirut and the surrounding area, and that more than 1,200 people have been killed in Lebanon with over a million displaced. This figure was not mentioned by the other two sources.
• Iranian attacks and Houthi strike: The Economist reported that Iran struck a Kuwaiti oil tanker docked in Dubai and that the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen launched their first strike against Israel since the war began. These claims appear only in The Economist's coverage.

Perspectives

The conflict has drawn reactions from multiple sides. The Trump administration has framed its military campaign as an effort to eliminate Iran's military capabilities while expressing openness to a deal. Trump's remarks suggest he expects the war to conclude quickly, whether through military victory or negotiation.

Iranian leadership, through President Pezeshkian, has signaled a willingness to end the war but conditioned that on external security guarantees—an indication that Tehran fears future attacks if a cessation is not formally secured.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, have emphasized the campaign's success in reshaping the regional balance, while also moving to establish a "security zone" in Lebanon, a plan Lebanon has denounced as "a new occupation."

Regional actors are also affected: The Houthis' first strike on Israel raises the risk of a wider conflict and threatens shipping in the Red Sea, as The Economist noted. The economic impact has been significant—The Hindu reported that US stocks rose on hopes of resolution, Brent oil futures fell 3.2%, and Asian markets opened higher.

As the war enters its second month, the toll on civilians continues to mount. The casualty figures reported by The Hindu, if accurate, underscore the humanitarian cost, while the displacement of over a million people in Lebanon represents a major regional crisis.