(2nd LD) Trump says U.S. might end war with Iran in '2 or 3 weeks' | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States could end its military operation against Iran within "two or three weeks," as concerns mount over the Middle East war's impact on oil prices and inflation. Asked if Iran has to make a deal for the U.S. to end its military operation, Trump said, "No." "They don't have to make a deal with me," he said. "When we feel that they are, for a long period of time, put into the stone ages, and they won't be able to come up with a nuclear weapon, then we'll leave whether we have a deal or not." But he also touched on the possibility that there could be a peace deal with Iran. "They want to make a deal more than I want to make a deal," he said. "But in a fairly short period of time, we'll be finished." He described the U.S. military operation as "a little detour" aimed at addressing Iran's nuclear ambitions while noting that the current new group of Iranian leaders are "different," "much more rational" and "much less radicalized." His remarks on the future U.S. withdrawal came after the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told his aides that he is willing to end the war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, remains largely blocked. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a phone call with Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, that Iran had "the necessary will to end this conflict," if conditions are met, including "the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression," according to AFP. sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Trump #Iran operation Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. Korea Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang prev (2nd LD) Trump says U.S. might end war with Iran in '2 or 3 weeks' Next (2nd LD) Trump says U.S. might end war with Iran in '2 or 3 weeks'

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By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, March 31 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States could end its military operation against Iran within "two or three weeks," as concerns mount over the Middle East war's impact on oil prices and inflation.
Trump made the remarks during a press availability at the White House, responding to a reporter's question about his plan to bring down gas prices that remain high as the U.S.-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic has entered its second month.
"All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon," he said. "And they'll become tumbling down."
U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 31, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
Trump anticipated that the U.S. military pullout could come within weeks.
"I think within two or three weeks. We'll leave because there is no reason for us to do this," he said.
Asked if Iran has to make a deal for the U.S. to end its military operation, Trump said, "No."
"They don't have to make a deal with me," he said. "When we feel that they are, for a long period of time, put into the stone ages, and they won't be able to come up with a nuclear weapon, then we'll leave whether we have a deal or not."
But he also touched on the possibility that there could be a peace deal with Iran.
"They want to make a deal more than I want to make a deal," he said. "But in a fairly short period of time, we'll be finished."
He described the U.S. military operation as "a little detour" aimed at addressing Iran's nuclear ambitions while noting that the current new group of Iranian leaders are "different," "much more rational" and "much less radicalized."
His remarks on the future U.S. withdrawal came after the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told his aides that he is willing to end the war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, remains largely blocked.
During the press availability, Trump said that the U.S. will not have anything to do with "what happens with the strait."
"If France or some other country wants to get oil or gas ... (they) should go up through the strait ... they'll go right up there, and they will be able to fend for themselves," he said.
"I think it'll be very safe actually, but we have nothing to do with that."
Trump plans to deliver an address to the nation to provide an "important" update on Iran at 9 p.m. on Wednesday (Washington time), White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X.
He could underscore progress in the U.S. military operation against Tehran and give more clarity on the future exit from the war.
The economic repercussions of the war have apparently weighed on his mind as they could affect voter sentiment ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November, where control of Congress is at stake.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a phone call with Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, that Iran had "the necessary will to end this conflict," if conditions are met, including "the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression," according to AFP.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- During the press availability, Trump said that the U.S. will not have anything to do with "what happens with the strait." "If France or some other country wants to get oil or gas ... (they) should go up through the strait ... they'll go right up there, and they will be able to fend for themselves," he said. "I think it'll be very safe actually, but we have nothing to do with that." Trump plans to deliver an address to the nation to provide an "important" update on Iran at 9 p.m. on Wednesday (Washington time), White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X.
- He could underscore progress in the U.S. military operation against Tehran and give more clarity on the future exit from the war.
- Korea's strong backlash against growing S.

### Areas for Consideration
- Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a phone call with Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, that Iran had "the necessary will to end this conflict," if conditions are met, including "the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression," according to AFP. sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Trump #Iran operation Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Implications
- President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States could end its military operation against Iran within "two or three weeks," as concerns mount over the Middle East war's impact on oil prices and inflation.
- President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 31, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap) Trump anticipated that the U.S. military pullout could come within weeks. "I think within two or three weeks.
- Asked if Iran has to make a deal for the U.S. to end its military operation, Trump said, "No." "They don't have to make a deal with me," he said. "When we feel that they are, for a long period of time, put into the stone ages, and they won't be able to come up with a nuclear weapon, then we'll leave whether we have a deal or not." But he also touched on the possibility that there could be a peace deal with Iran. "They want to make a deal more than I want to make a deal," he said. "But in a fairly short period of time, we'll be finished." He described the U.S. military operation as "a little detour" aimed at addressing Iran's nuclear ambitions while noting that the current new group of Iranian leaders are "different," "much more rational" and "much less radicalized." His remarks on the future U.S. withdrawal came after the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told his aides that he is willing to end the war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, remains largely blocked.
- During the press availability, Trump said that the U.S. will not have anything to do with "what happens with the strait." "If France or some other country wants to get oil or gas ... (they) should go up through the strait ... they'll go right up there, and they will be able to fend for themselves," he said. "I think it'll be very safe actually, but we have nothing to do with that." Trump plans to deliver an address to the nation to provide an "important" update on Iran at 9 p.m. on Wednesday (Washington time), White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers trump, iran, end topics. Notable strengths include discussion of trump. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 861.