▲ U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 31, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Trump-Iran operation

(LEAD) Trump says U.S. might end war with Iran in '2 or 3 weeks'

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States could end its military operation against Iran within "two or three weeks," as concerns mount over the Middle East war's impact on oil prices and inflation.

Trump made the remarks during a press availability at the White House, responding to a reporter's question about his plan to bring down gas prices that remain high as the U.S.-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic has entered its second month.

"All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon," he said. "And they'll become tumbling down."

Trump anticipated that the U.S. military pullout could come within weeks.

"I think within two or three weeks. We'll leave because there is no reason for us to do this," he said.

Asked if Iran has to make a deal for the U.S. to end its military operation, Trump said, "No."

"They don't have to make a deal with me," he said. "When we feel that they are, for a long period of time, put into the stone ages, and they won't be able to come up with a nuclear weapon, then we'll leave whether we have a deal or not."

But he also touched on the possibility that there could be a peace deal with Iran.

"They want to make a deal more than I want to make a deal," he said. "But in a fairly short period of time, we'll be finished."

He described the U.S. military operation as "a little detour" aimed at addressing Iran's nuclear ambitions while noting that the current new group of Iranian leaders are "different," "much more rational" and "much less radicalized."

His remarks on the future U.S. withdrawal came after the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told his aides that he is willing to end the war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, remains largely blocked.

During the press availability, Trump said that the U.S. will not have anything to do with "what happens with the strait."

"If France or some other country wants to get oil or gas ... (they) should go up through the strait ... they'll go right up there, and they will be able to fend for themselves," he said.

"I think it'll be very safe actually, but we have nothing to do with that."

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