Trump Claims Iran War Nearly Over, Markets Remain Wary of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said the war in Iran is “very close” to a resolution, seeking to reassure the public about his handling of the conflict, which has roiled financial markets and risks hurting his standing with voters. The remarks came in a rare prime-time address from the White House.
In his speech, Trump described the US military operation as a success and said key objectives were nearly achieved. He said these achievements included the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missiles and drones, as well as its air force, naval capabilities, and industrial base.
Trump also stated that the measures were aimed at preventing Tehran’s proxy groups from destabilizing the region and blocking Iran’s path to nuclear weapons. He asserted that the operation’s “core strategic objectives” were nearing completion.
While emphasizing that the war was nearing its end, Trump also signaled that the intensity of the operation could increase. He said the US would “finish the job” quickly in the next two to three weeks, but also said diplomatic talks were ongoing.
Market reaction was cautious. As Trump spoke, S&P 500 futures extended their decline by around 0.5%, indicating investors were still weighing the risks of escalation and uncertainty about the path out of the conflict, which has entered its fifth week.
The speech also reflected increasing pressure for the White House to clarify the objectives of the war and the direction of future policy. In tone, Trump's speech was seen as more reminiscent of presidential statements at the beginning of the conflict, even though the war has been going on for more than a month, including when he cited the operation as necessary for "American security" and "the free world."
Market focus remained on the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely closed since the beginning of hostilities, even though this passage carries about one-fifth of all seaborne oil. Trump stated that the energy shock would subside after the war was over, but the US government has not explained how Iran will be convinced to reopen traffic through the strait. In recent developments, Brent rose to US$103, gold to US$4,677, while the dollar index (DXY) was at 99.60. (asd)
Source: Newsmaker.id
