March 10, 2026 : U.S. President Donald Trump has said the ongoing war against Iran could end soon, but warned that the conflict may intensify if Tehran attempts to disrupt global oil supplies.

Speaking to Republican lawmakers near Miami, Trump described the military campaign in West Asia as a “short-term excursion” aimed at eliminating what he called “evil.” He expressed confidence that the conflict would be over “pretty quickly,” while adding that the United States is still pursuing what he termed an “ultimate victory.”

Trump said the U.S. military is close to achieving its goal of destroying Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile and limiting the country’s ability to manufacture and launch such weapons. However, he also signaled that the most intense phase of the fighting could still lie ahead.

The president warned that any attempt by Iran to block global oil shipments, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, would trigger a much stronger U.S. response. The passage handles a significant share of the world’s oil trade, making it critical for global energy markets.

During a press interaction, Trump also voiced disappointment over the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader. He said he would have preferred a leader chosen from an internal pool of alternative candidates, suggesting that such an approach had worked in other countries like Venezuela.

Trump declined to say whether the new Iranian leader was a potential military target, but remarked that Khamenei’s appointment was “not good,” underscoring ongoing tensions as the conflict continues.