Trump: War On Iran Has No Time Limit

By Staff, Agencies

The United States will not impose any deadline for ending its war with Iran, President Donald Trump has stated.

The statement contrasts with Trump’s earlier claim made shortly after the US and "Israel" launched strikes on Iran on February 28, when he said the conflict would last “four to five weeks.”

Over the past month, he has also repeatedly insisted that the war would conclude “very soon.”

Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, the US president said there is “no time frame” and no urgency to end the conflict, adding, “People say I want to get it over because of the midterms, not true.”

Trump’s approval rating on the economy has fallen to a new low of 30% as energy shortages caused by the war against Iran continue to drive prices higher, according to an AP-NORC poll published earlier this week.

On Tuesday, the president prolonged the ceasefire with Tehran indefinitely, while keeping the US blockade of Iranian ports in place.

The announcement came just hours before the expiry of a two-week truce. Earlier that day, Iran declined to take part in talks with a US delegation in Pakistan, saying negotiations are futile while Washington continues its “bullying” policies.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said there is “no time pressure” on a ceasefire or new talks with Tehran, adding his aim is to “get a good deal for the American people.”

He described Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as “a smart man” who will “be there when talks get underway again.”

Iran has said it is ready to fight the US “until complete victory.” Its envoy to Beijing, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said there will be no talks while the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which about 25% of global crude oil passes—continues.

He added that Washington is seeking “surrender, not dialogue,” which Iran rejects.

Tehran has further tightened its control of the strait since Trump’s announcement of an indefinite truce, seizing at least two ships and escorting them to Iranian ports, Reuters reported on Thursday.