U.S. Considering 'Winding Down' Iran War, President Says

Bloomberg

U.S. President Donald Trump.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, as Iranian media said the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz ‌had been attacked.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran," President Trump said on Truth Social. However, he insisted that other countries should take the lead in policing the vital shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, whose near-closure threatens a global energy shock.

He said: "The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not!" 

"If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated. Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" He added.

More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran since the U.S. and Israel attacked on 28 February, while American voters appear increasingly concerned at signs the war could expand further.

Vital energy infrastructure in Iran and neighbouring Gulf states has been attacked, sending oil prices up 50%.

Energy price shocks are also fuelling inflation, hitting consumers and businesses hard - a major political liability for President Trump as he seeks to justify the war to the U.S. public before November elections in which he could lose control of Congress.

Iranian gas supplies to Iraq reportedly resumed after flows were halted by an Israeli attack on Iran's main gas field, South Pars, on Wednesday.

As the fighting continued, Iranian media said U.S.-Israeli forces had attacked the Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan Natanz enrichment complex on Saturday morning. Technical experts found that no radioactive leaks had occurred and nearby residents were not at risk.

Israel said it was unaware of such a strike while the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was investigating.

Source: Reuters



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