Trump says Middle East conflict timeline unclear; 78% targets hit, warns of escalation if talks fail

Donald Trump indicated that the duration of the ongoing West Asia conflict remains uncertain, drawing parallels with the prolonged Vietnam War while asserting that initial US military objectives were achieved swiftly.

Trump said the US had completed nearly 78% of its intended targets within the first four weeks of operations and was now “sitting back” to assess the possibility of a negotiated settlement. However, he warned that failure to reach a deal could prompt further military action, with the remaining 25% of targets still in scope.



Highlighting pressure on the opposing side, Trump pointed to vulnerabilities in oil logistics, stating that constraints in storage capacity could severely disrupt their energy infrastructure within days. “If they don’t get their oil moving, their whole oil infrastructure is going to explode,” he said, adding that prolonged shutdowns could permanently damage underground reserves.

The US, he maintained, faces no immediate urgency, with military assets “locked and loaded” and ready for deployment if required. He also described the adversary as “disorganised” amid the ongoing conflict.

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On the humanitarian front, Trump said he had intervened to prevent the execution of eight young women, describing it as a “moral request.” According to him, authorities have agreed not to carry out the executions, with four set to be released shortly and the remaining four to be freed after a month in custody.