Washington D.C. – After three weeks of escalating conflict in the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated Friday evening he is considering a “gradual reduction” of military operations against Iran, even as reports emerge of continued strikes and a potential increase in troop deployments. The announcement, made on his social media platform Truth Social, came as the United States authorized the temporary sale of Iranian oil currently held on ships, a move aimed at stabilizing global energy markets.
“We are on the verge of achieving our objectives as we contemplate a gradual reduction of our significant military efforts in the Middle East against the Iranian terrorist regime,” Trump wrote. However, this statement was followed by reports, confirmed by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on X (formerly Twitter), that the Pentagon anticipates the mission will require “four to six weeks” to complete. This suggests a continued military presence, at least in the short term, despite the President’s suggestion of a drawdown.
The shift in tone comes amid ongoing military action. Israel’s military announced Saturday it launched strikes against “regime targets” in Tehran, responding to missile launches from Iran directed toward Israel. Simultaneously, Israeli forces targeted Beirut, striking what they described as positions belonging to Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned militant group that entered the conflict following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28th. At least one person was killed and two injured in a strike on a home in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency.
In the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting and destroying approximately thirty drones, all originating in the eastern part of the country. Kuwait also reported facing attacks from drones and missiles on Saturday. These attacks underscore the region’s vulnerability and the potential for wider escalation.
The global economic impact of the conflict remains a central concern, particularly regarding oil prices. Brent crude, the global benchmark, closed Friday at over $112 a barrel. In an attempt to mitigate rising prices, the U.S. Authorized the sale of Iranian oil already on tankers for a period of one month. However, Iranian officials have stated they do not have surplus crude oil at sea.
Adding to the complexity, Russia has reportedly been providing Iran with intelligence and satellite imagery of U.S. Military positions, including those of aircraft and naval vessels, according to multiple U.S. Media reports. Whereas the Trump administration has not issued a strong condemnation of this assistance, it has sharply criticized NATO allies for their reluctance to protect the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport. Trump stated the strait “will have to be guarded and monitored, if necessary, by the other nations who use it… which is not the case with the United States.”
The new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained largely out of public view since his appointment, released a written statement Friday claiming “the enemy has been defeated” and accusing them of “contradictory and absurd” statements. Israeli forces claim to have killed the head of intelligence for the Basij paramilitary force in a strike in Tehran on Friday. Meanwhile, in Iraq, one fighter was killed in a strike targeting an alliance of former paramilitary groups, including Iran-backed factions, at a military airport in the north of the country.
The situation remains fluid, with no immediate ceasefire in sight and continued military operations on multiple fronts. The United States’ position on a full withdrawal, and the extent of its continued military involvement, remains unclear.
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