President Donald Trump has signaled a dramatic wind-down of Operation Epic Fury, stating that U.S. forces could withdraw from Iran in as little as two to three weeks. Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, the President asserted that the core military objectives—specifically neutralizing Iran’s nuclear breakout capability and leadership—have been “largely achieved.”
The announcement comes as the conflict enters its 32nd day, having begun with a massive joint U.S.-Israeli strike on February 28.
1. The Exit Strategy: “Deal or No Deal”
In a departure from traditional diplomacy, Trump indicated that a formal signed peace treaty with Tehran is no longer a prerequisite for a U.S. withdrawal.
- Objective-Based Exit: Trump stated that the U.S. will leave once it is “100% certain” that Iran cannot produce a nuclear weapon. “They don’t have to make a deal with me,” he told reporters. “We’ve done the job. We have the sky, we have the sites, and we have their leadership.”
- The “Rational” Successors: The President claimed that the elimination of senior IRGC and political figures (including the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei) has left the country in the hands of a “much less radicalized” and “more rational” leadership who are reportedly “begging to make a deal” behind the scenes.
2. Status of the “15-Point Peace Plan”
While Trump remains open to a withdrawal without a deal, the administration continues to push its 15-point framework, transmitted via Pakistani mediators.
| Key Demand | Current Status |
| Nuclear Disarmament | Calls for dismantling facilities at Natanz and Fordow and shipping all uranium stockpiles out of the country. |
| Ceasefire | Proposed 30-day cessation of hostilities. |
| Regional Proxy End | Demands a halt to funding for Hezbollah and the Houthis (who recently claimed a joint strike on Israel). |
| Sanctions Relief | Offers a path to lifting nuclear-related sanctions, though broader human rights sanctions remain. |
3. The Strait of Hormuz: “Not Our Problem”
In one of the most controversial parts of his recent statements, Trump explicitly ruled out the U.S. Navy taking sole responsibility for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked since the war began.
- Burden Sharing: Trump argued that the nations most dependent on the oil flow should handle the de-mining and security of the waterway. “That’s not for us. That’ll be for France… for whoever’s using the strait,” he remarked.
- Fuel Price Prediction: The President predicted that global fuel prices, which surged after the blockade, will “tumble down” the moment U.S. military actions cease and the “war premium” is removed from the markets.
4. Domestic & Global Reactions
- Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S. leadership, stating that the “trillion [Iran] spent on military ambitions has gone down the drain,” though he cautioned that the war is “not yet over.”
- Iran: Tehran continues to publicly reject the 15-point plan as “unrealistic and excessive,” with the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) threatening to target U.S. tech giants like Apple and Google if further “targeted assassinations” occur.
- Market Impact: Gold and oil prices have seen slight retreats on the “de-escalation optimism,” though Brent crude remains volatile near $105/barrel due to the ongoing physical blockade.
5. Critical Deadlines
The next major flashpoint is the April 6 (8:00 PM ET) Deadline. Trump previously warned that if no significant progress is made by this date, the U.S. would expand strikes to include Iran’s civilian energy and power infrastructure.
