Trump says U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran “way ahead of schedule”

President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran is progressing faster than expected and could conclude “soon,” asserting that allied forces have left “practically nothing left to target” in the country.

In a brief phone interview with Axios, Trump said the conflict, now in its second week, has exceeded initial projections.

“The war is going great. We are way ahead of the timetable. We have done more damage than we thought possible, even in the original six-week period,” he stated.

“Little this and that… Any time I want it to end, it will end,” Trump added, emphasizing that the decision to halt operations rests solely with him.

The remarks come amid renewed Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces have targeted Iranian naval assets, reportedly destroying at least 16 mine-laying vessels in recent days as Tehran attempted to disrupt maritime traffic.

Iran has pledged a prolonged “war of attrition” and warned of severe economic consequences for the U.S., reporting over 1,300 civilian deaths and nearly 10,000 damaged civilian sites due to allied bombardment.

The Pentagon confirmed U.S. casualties, including seven service members killed and more than 140 wounded in Iranian retaliatory strikes.

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The campaign, officially named Operation Epic Fury by U.S. military officials, aims to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities, naval infrastructure, and nuclear pathways. Trump’s optimistic remarks, however, contrast with mixed signals from his administration, which has previously conditioned an end to hostilities on Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” without specifying a firm withdrawal timeline.

Global oil markets have remained volatile due to threats to the Strait of Hormuz, prompting countries such as Japan and Germany to release strategic reserves to stabilise supply.

Military analysts say Trump’s assertions of rapid progress may be overstated given the evolving nature of asymmetric warfare and Iran’s capacity for retaliatory strikes.

Defense analyst Col. Michael Stanton (Ret.) noted: “While precision strikes can degrade military infrastructure, claiming that ‘practically nothing is left to target’ ignores Iran’s deep network of dispersed and mobile systems. The risk of ongoing insurgency and maritime disruption remains high.”

Political expert Dr. Leila Haddad added: “Trump’s framing of the conflict as being under personal control is rhetorically aimed at domestic audiences, but in reality, the outcome will depend on broader strategic, regional, and international dynamics.”

Observers warn that the conflict’s impact on global oil markets and regional security could be prolonged, with potential escalation affecting shipping lanes, energy prices, and geopolitical alignments in the Middle East.

Trump’s comments came shortly after a news conference at Trump National Doral Miami earlier this week, where he highlighted military gains while addressing rising energy costs and economic concerns.

The U.S.-Israeli campaign continues to unfold as regional tensions escalate, leaving analysts cautious about predicting an imminent end to hostilities.