Trump: US–Israel War on Iran Expected to End Soon

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta — United States President, Donald Trump, said the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran is expected to end soon after nearly two weeks of fighting. Speaking to the media during a press conference on March 9, 2026, in Florida, Trump described the conflict as a short-term operation, although military strikes are still ongoing.

Trump said the United States and Israel have struck around 5,000 targets since the war began on February 28, following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. According to Trump, the military operation has also targeted Iran’s drone and missile capabilities, which he said have been significantly weakened.

“Starting today, we know all the locations where they manufacture drones, and those sites are being hit one after another,” Trump stated.

He added that Iran’s missile capability has now been reduced to about 10 percent or even less. Trump also warned Iran not to disrupt global oil shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, which previously triggered a spike in global oil prices.

“I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe’s oil supply. If Iran does that, they will be hit at a much harder level,” he said.

He added that the United States is offering protection in the form of political risk insurance for tankers operating in the Gulf and may provide military escorts if necessary.

Meanwhile, in Iran, hardline groups have shown support for the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ali Khamenei, whose appointment was announced amid strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure.

Trump said that he was disappointed with the appointment and believed the new leadership could prolong the conflict.

“I think it’s going to lead to just more of the same problem for the country,” Trump said.

On the same occasion, Trump also revealed that he had spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the conflicts in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.

According to him, President Putin expressed willingness to help ease tensions in the Middle East, but Trump suggested that Russia should focus more on ending the war in Ukraine.

“I told him it would be more helpful if the Ukraine war could be ended,” Trump said.