Iran War could be over 'very soon', Trump says while warning Iran against blocking oil flow through Straits of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump sought to allay fears of a long war in Iran on Monday, telling reporters in Dola, Florida, that the war could be over within weeks. 

Asked by a reporter if the war would be over this week or in a matter of days, President Trump responded, “No, but soon. I think soon. Very soon.” 

“Look, everything they have is gone, including their leadership,” Trump claimed. 

During a speech to Republican lawmakers at the Trump National Doral Hotel earlier, President Trump called the war in Iran “an excursion.” 

“We took a little excursion, because we felt we had to do that to get rid of some people, but I think you’ll see it’s going to be a short-term excursion,” he told the gathered House Republicans. 

PRESIDENT TRUMP on when the war in Iran will end: "I think soon, very soon. Look, everything they have is gone, including their leadership." pic.twitter.com/ke0omxUETI

— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 9, 2026

Trump also threatened intensified action against Iran if the country made any “attempt to stop the globe’s oil supply,” saying that they would “get hit at a much, much harder level.” 

“We're also focused on keeping energy and oil flowing to the world,” Trump said. “And I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil supply. And if Iran does anything to do that, they'll get hit at a much, much harder level.” 

“We'll take them out so quickly they'll never be able to recover, ever,” he added. 

“We’re putting an end to all of this threat once and for all, and the result will be lower oil prices, oil and gas prices for American families,” Trump claimed.

Fuel prices have risen across the U.S. as a result of disruptions in supply and fears of a long war. “We’ve done that. We’ve done it. We’ve brought it very low. This was just an excursion into something that had to be done.” 

Oil prices fell early Tuesday following Trump’s prediction that the war could end soon. After his remarks to the press, Trump also posted a fresh warning to Iran on his Truth Social account. 

“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far. Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again – Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them – But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen! This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” 

Trump’s threat came after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released a statement, in an apparent response to Trump, saying they would “determine the end of the war.” 

“The equations and future status of the region are now in the hands of our armed forces; American forces will not end the war,” the statement continued. 

According to Reuters, the IRGC also warned that Iran would not allow “one liter of oil” to be exported from the region if the U.S. and Israeli strikes continue. 

At the same time, the IRGC claimed that it would allow safe passage to the vessels of “any Arab or European country that expels Israeli and American ambassadors.” 

#BREAKING
IRGC: Any Arab or European country that expels Israeli and American ambassadors from its territory will have complete freedom and authority to pass through the Strait of Hormuz starting tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/cRtf4yIQfS

— Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) March 9, 2026

Trump also provided an additional reason for the start of the Iran war, stating that Tehran had started work on a new site for developing material for nuclear weapons. 

The president said the regime had “turned down an offer for unlimited free nuclear fuel forever for civilian purposes.” Iran wasn’t interested in the offer, he said, “because they wanted to build a nuclear weapon.”

Noting that the U.S. had “obliterated” three nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer, he claimed the regime started work on a new site. 

“But they were starting work at another site, a different site, different kind of a site – and that was protected by granite,” Trump said.

The president echoed statements by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iran was looking to use its ballistic missile program to provide cover for its nuclear weapons program.  

“The regime's intention was to use this exponentially growing ballistic missile threat to make it virtually impossible to prevent them from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Trump stated.