Trump says war could end “within an hour” as conflict enters Day 12

New Delhi: The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran has entered Day 12, with heavy air and missile strikes continuing across multiple Iranian targets and tensions spreading across the Middle East. 

US President Donald Trump said the conflict could be ended rapidly, claiming American forces have already destroyed most of Iran’s military capability. 

According to Trump, the US could “take them out within an hour” if it chose to escalate further, asserting that Iran has lost key defence assets including parts of its navy, air force, and radar network. 

Since the conflict began nearly two weeks ago, US and Israeli forces have carried out large-scale airstrikes aimed at degrading Iran’s military infrastructure and nuclear capabilities. 

The campaign has significantly damaged Iran’s operational capacity, according to US officials, though Iranian forces continue launching missiles and drones in retaliation across the region. 

Trump claims war could end soon

In a phone interview with Axios, Trump said there was “practically nothing left to target” in Iran and suggested the war could end quickly if Washington decides to stop operations.

“Any time I want it to end, it will end,” Trump said. 

However, US and Israeli officials have not issued any formal directive to halt the military campaign, and preparations reportedly remain in place for additional strikes in the coming days. 

The conflict has triggered wider geopolitical and economic consequences. Attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, have disrupted maritime traffic and pushed oil prices sharply higher, prompting the International Energy Agency to release emergency reserves. 

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Washington have raised concerns about the lack of a clear endgame for the war, warning that the conflict could escalate further without a defined strategy. 

Despite Trump’s claim that the war could end quickly, fighting continues across multiple fronts, with US officials warning that Iran still retains the capability to retaliate through missiles, drones and maritime disruption.