Donald Trump has announced he is contemplating scaling back military actions against Iran and bringing an end to Middle Eastern conflicts, as efforts to weaken Tehran’s military strength progress.
In a message shared on Truth Social Friday evening, the former president stated, “We are nearing the achievement of our goals as we evaluate the reduction of our substantial military presence in the Middle East concerning Iran’s Terrorist Regime.”
He outlined several key objectives: first, the complete dismantling of Iran’s missile capabilities and related infrastructure.
Secondly, the destruction of Iran’s defense production facilities.
Thirdly, the elimination of Iran’s naval and air forces, including their anti-aircraft defenses.
Lastly, he emphasized preventing Iran from approaching nuclear capability, ensuring that the United States remains poised to respond swiftly and decisively should such a circumstance arise.
In his post Friday, Trump added a fifth: ‘Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies’ and listed America’s Gulf partners: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.’
He then went on to describe how he sees the future for the Strait of Hormuz – the shipping waterway that is crucial to international trade.
Trump is seen here at the White House on Friday afternoon. He wrote online that he is close to considering ending the war in Iran
A plume of smoke rises from the site of a strike in Tehran on March 17, 2026
Trump added: ‘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! President DONALD J. TRUMP.’
The post seemed at odds with his administration’s move to bolster its firepower in the region and request another $200 billion from Congress to fund the war.
The US is deploying three more amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 additional Marines to the Middle East, a US official told The Associated Press.
Two other US officials confirmed that ships were deploying, without saying where they were headed.
All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations.
The news of the deployment comes just days after the US redirected another group of amphibious assault ships carrying another 2,500 Marines from the Pacific to the Middle East.
The Marines will join more than 50,000 US troops already in the region.
Trump has said he has no plans to send ground forces into Iran but also has asserted that he retains all options.
US and Israeli leaders say weeks of strikes have decimated Iran’s military.
In addition to Iran’s supreme leader, airstrikes have also killed the head of its Supreme National Security Council and a raft of other top-ranking military and political leaders.
General Ali Mohammad Naeini, a spokesman for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, was quoted by a state-run newspaper Friday saying Iran continues to manufacture missiles despite Israel’s claim that it had destroyed Iran’s production capabilities. Iranian state television later said that Naeini was killed in an airstrike.
This is a breaking news story.
