March 31, 2026 (New York Time) – President Donald Trump told the New York Post that the war in Iran "will not last much longer" and the Strait of Hormuz will "automatically reopen" after U.S. forces withdraw.
In a phone interview, Trump stated:
“We won't be there much longer. Right now we are hitting them very hard.”
The remarks came just hours after he posted a video on social media documenting large explosions near the city of Isfahan—where he claimed to have hit "a lot of targets."
“It’s total destruction. But we won't need to be there for long — there are still a few things to do to completely eliminate their remaining offensive capabilities,” he said.
Strait of Hormuz “will reopen itself”
Trump suggested that other nations could handle the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—the vital oil shipping lane that Iran has closed for 31 days, causing global energy prices to spike.
“I think it will automatically reopen. My view is we’ve hit them to the point where they have no power left. The countries that use this route can reopen it themselves... whoever controls the oil will certainly want to do that,” he said.
Campaign Goal: Eliminating Iran’s Nuclear Capability
When asked about the possibility of ending the war before the strait is reopened, Trump replied:
“I’m not thinking about that. My only mission is to ensure they don't have nuclear weapons. And they won't.”
He asserted that once the U.S. withdraws, the strait will return to operation on its own.
The Element of Surprise in Strategy
The report noted that Trump’s statements do not always fully reflect the entire strategy, as he has previously used misdirection to gain an advantage.
Before the campaign began on February 28, the U.S. and Iran were still expected to negotiate in Vienna on March 2. However, the element of surprise allowed the U.S. and Israel to carry out opening strikes, which included the removal of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and many high-ranking officials.
Massive Explosion in Isfahan
Trump did not disclose details of the targets hit near Isfahan—an area known for its nuclear facilities—but expressed surprise at the scale of the blast.
“I don’t want to be specific, but it will become clear. Very big, right?”
“It was a very large explosion. We destroyed many things,” he said.
He also claimed the campaign has:
- Crippled Iran's nuclear capabilities
- Created a shift in the leadership apparatus
“We are working with a completely different group of people, more rational than before. That is exactly what regime change is,” he said.
Next Steps Not Confirmed
President Trump refused to confirm whether he was sending a negotiating team—including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President JD Vance—to Pakistan or any other nation.
“I can’t talk about those things. You want me to give away my strategy?” he said.
The war enters its second month amidst a lack of direct negotiations, while the U.S. continues airstrikes aimed at degrading Iran's military capabilities.
