US President Donald Trump has suggested he is considering winding down military operations in the Middle East, even as the Pentagon reportedly prepares to send three additional amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 marines to the Gulf region. The contradictory signals come amid ongoing airstrikes and drone attacks that have escalated over the past three weeks.
On Friday, Trump initially ruled out a ceasefire with Iran, telling journalists at the White House, 'I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You know you don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side.' However, later that evening he wrote on Truth Social that the US was 'considering winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran,' claiming the US was 'getting very close to meeting our objectives.'
Reports indicate Washington is considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran's Kharg Island, which handles about 90% of Iranian oil exports. Any such move would carry significant risks, as the 8-square-mile island is within range of Iranian drone and rocket fire. The White House has not confirmed the plans, with one official stating, 'As President Trump said, he has no plans to send troops anywhere – but he wisely does not broadcast his military strategy to the media.'
Trump also criticised NATO allies on social media, calling them 'cowards' for refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. 'Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!' he wrote, adding that the US would 'REMEMBER' their inaction. The Pentagon has already deployed the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit of about 2,200 marines to the region, and the USS Boxer is departing three weeks early, though its mission remains unclear.
The conflict continued on Friday with an Iranian drone attack hitting a Kuwait refinery, while US and Israeli forces struck 16 Iranian cargo vessels in port towns. Heavy explosions were also reported in Dubai as air defences intercepted incoming rockets during Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Israel separately attacked Syrian government positions, following US suggestions that Syrian forces could be used to disarm Hezbollah in eastern Syria.
