April  1, 2026

Global optimism on a potential de-escalation of the Middle East conflict was reignited after United States President Donald Trump said the US military could end its Iran offensive in a few weeks, and he claimed in a social media post that Iran's president wanted a ceasefire.

Trump's comments highlighted the fluid and often contradictory timelines and statements from Washington on how and when the five-week-old war might draw to a close. "We'll be leaving very soon," Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, adding that the pullout could happen within "maybe two weeks, maybe three".

"Iran doesn't have to make a deal, no," he said, when asked if successful diplomacy was a prerequisite for the US to end the mission. Trump is expected to address the nation "to deliver an important update on Iran" on Wednesday.

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