U.S. President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end whenever he chooses, arguing that nearly all viable targets inside the country have already been struck.
In phone remarks to U.S. media about the continuing strikes against Iran, Trump suggested the timeline for ending the war largely depended on his decision.
"Any time I want it to end, it will end."
Trump has given repeated mixed messages about the timing and aims of the war but on Monday he also said the ending could come "soon."
The U.S. president faces negative domestic polls and fears over the global economic disruption from the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran.
Accusations that the White House launched the war without preparing for consequences, including Iranian disruption of oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, are putting the 79-year-old Republican under political pressure.
Speculation is mounting that Trump may seek a quick exit in an attempt to save his party from further damage ahead of the November midterm elections for control of Congress.
However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that "this operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives."
And Iran says it is ready to fight back.
The United States and Israel should "consider the possibility that they will be engaged in a long-term war of attrition that will destroy the entire American economy and the world economy, and will cause all of its military capabilities to be eroded to the point of destruction," Ali Fadavi, advisor to the commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, told state television.
Just Wednesday, the Revolutionary Guards said they had struck a Liberia-flagged vessel and a Thai bulk carrier in the Hormuz maritime chokepoint.
