President Donald Trump said the war in Iran could last another two or three weeks as Iran nears “a natural explosion of their oil that’s going to make it impossible for them to really recover from.”
In an interview Monday on “The Hugh Hewitt Show,” Trump stated the United States holds a decisive advantage in the conflict, citing its military strength and economic pressure on Tehran.
“One way or the other, we win,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. has already achieved major battlefield successes.
According to the president, Iranian naval capabilities have been effectively dismantled, with U.S. forces targeting remaining assets in recent operations. U.S. Central Command confirmed the destruction of multiple Iranian boats threatening commercial shipping, underscoring U.S. control of key waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite ongoing hostilities and uncertainty surrounding a ceasefire, Trump indicated that time is on America’s side.
“We’ve taken out much of what we’d have to do, probably another two weeks, maybe three weeks,” he said, signaling that the conflict may be nearing its final phase.
Trump also reiterated his long-standing red line: Iran will not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. He argued that previous agreements, including the Obama-era nuclear deal, would have put Tehran on a fast track to a nuclear weapon.
“They will never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, adding that he received strong support at recent public appearances.
Beyond military pressure, Trump highlighted a looming economic crisis inside Iran tied to its oil infrastructure. He warned that disruptions to storage and production could trigger catastrophic damage.
“In two weeks, they’re going to have a natural explosion of their oil,” Trump said, describing a scenario that could cripple Iran’s economy for decades.
Meanwhile, Iranian forces launched missiles and drones toward the United Arab Emirates, with several intercepted and others causing damage to critical oil facilities and commercial vessels.
Trump declined to say whether additional U.S. strikes were imminent but suggested the administration is prepared to act swiftly if needed.
“I can’t tell you that,” he said after Hewitt asked about future military plans, noting that revealing details would be strategically unwise.
Despite global tensions, Trump pointed to strong economic indicators at home, including a record-high stock market and stable oil prices, as evidence of U.S. resilience. He noted that alternative shipping routes and increased domestic energy production have helped blunt the impact of disruptions in the Middle East.
“They find ways of getting it done,” Trump said of global energy markets adapting to the conflict.
As the war enters a critical stage, Trump framed the stakes as both national and global, arguing that preventing a nuclear-armed Iran is essential to long-term stability.
