The United States has indicated that its military operations in Iran could conclude within weeks, even as fresh incidents across the Middle East underscore the fragility of the situation.
US President Donald Trump said American forces would wind down their involvement “very soon,” suggesting a timeline of two to three weeks. He also stressed that responsibility for maintaining the security of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz should fall to countries that depend on it, rather than Washington.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio signalled potential strains within Western alliances, suggesting the United States may reassess its relationship with NATO after the conflict. He warned that restrictions on the use of US bases in Europe could render the alliance “a one-way street.”
Rubio said the “finish line” in the war on Iran is approaching, as the war enters its fifth week.
Speaking on Fox News’s “Hannity”, Rubio stated, “We can see the finish line. It’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but it is coming.” He suggested that direct meetings with Iranian officials could take place in the near future.
Public opinion in the United States appears to favour a rapid withdrawal. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll found that around two-thirds of Americans support ending involvement in the conflict, even if key objectives remain unmet.
