US eyes swift end to war as fresh attacks hit Gulf states and Iran

(Reuters)

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/CAIRO, April 1 – U.S. President Donald Trump and his Secretary of State Marco Rubio ​said the end of the war on Iran could be near, with Washington signaling potential for both direct talks with Tehran’s leadership and a winding down of the conflict even without a deal.

The remarks underscored Washington’s shifting ‌and at times contradictory statements about when and how a war that has killed thousands, spread across the region and caused unprecedented energy disruption might end.

“We’ll be leaving very soon,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday, saying that could be “within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three.”

“Iran doesn’t have to make a deal, no,” he said, when asked if successful diplomacy was a prerequisite for the U.S. to end what it calls “Operation Epic Fury”.

The United States had previously threatened to intensify operations if Tehran did not accept a 15-point U.S. ceasefire framework that had among its core demands required Iran to commit not to pursue nuclear ​weapons, halt all uranium enrichment and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House said Trump would address the nation “to provide an important update on Iran” at 9 p.m. EDT on Wednesday (0100 GMT on Thursday).

Rubio told Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” program ​there was potential for a meeting between both sides “at some point” and the United States could “see the finish line“.

“It’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but it is coming,” Rubio added.