Israel is preparing for the possibility that US President Donald Trump will announce an end to the war with Iran within days. Officials in Israel's political establishment are not ruling out a scenario in which Trump declares a halt to US and Israeli strikes unilaterally, even without formal agreements with Tehran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that "we are close to achieving the core objectives of the war," while House Speaker Mike Johnson added, "I think we are wrapping up Operation 'Epic Fury'… it will end soon, and right on schedule."
At the start of the campaign, US officials spoke of roughly eight weeks of fighting. However, following the success of the opening strike, which included the elimination of Ali Khamenei and a severe blow to Iran's missile array, the timeline was shortened to four to five weeks. That timeframe is now expected to be reached in the coming days.
Israel's security establishment is also weighing possible "endgame moves," including a US capture of Kharg Island or of the Strait of Hormuz in total, steps that could deprive Iran of one of its main levers against the international community.
Trump: The war is decided
Against this backdrop, Trump himself has made a series of remarks in recent days reinforcing the assessment that the war is nearing its end. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he said, "We won, this war is decided," adding that "we essentially have regime change" following the elimination of senior leadership in Tehran.
According to Trump, military pressure has led to a dramatic shift in Iran's position, and as part of ongoing contacts "they agreed they will never have nuclear weapons." He also claimed Tehran had given the US "a very big gift" related to oil and gas, calling it proof that talks are being conducted with "the right people."
At the same time, Trump said the US had refrained from carrying out a major strike on strategic electricity infrastructure in Iran due to the ongoing contacts, while emphasizing continued American superiority: "We are flying freely over Tehran and can do whatever we want."
Tehran: 'There are no negotiations'
Iran, for its part, is presenting a very different line. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that while the US is sending messages through intermediaries, "this is not a negotiation." He said Tehran is reviewing the proposals but is not holding direct talks with Washington.
Araghchi argued that the US "has failed in all its war objectives," stressing that the only path to ending the fighting is a complete halt to attacks alongside compensation for damages, not a temporary ceasefire.
Meanwhile, according to US reports, Iran has also prepared for possible military scenarios, deploying defense systems and mines around Kharg Island amid concerns over potential US action in the area.
