Trump: US will leave Iran 'whether we have a deal or not' — 2–3 week timeline
President Trump told reporters the US could withdraw forces within two to three weeks even if no peace deal is struck, while vowing further strikes to degrade Iran's capabilities. The comment comes as Iran moves to impose tolls and bar US/Israeli ships in the Strait of Hormuz and global oil prices sit near their highest levels since the conflict began.
Apr 1, 2026, 12:58 AM EDT
Why it matters:
- The president’s public deadline compresses the window for diplomacy and raises the chance of a rapid U.S. drawdown that could shift military pressure and market expectations.
- Disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and rising Brent crude add immediate costs at the pump and inflation risk globally.
Driving the news:
- Trump said the US would "leave whether we have a deal or not" and suggested American forces could withdraw in "two or three weeks," while also saying he wanted to "knock out every single thing there" beforehand.
By the numbers:
- About 20% of the world’s crude normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Ship transits through the strait have fallen roughly 95% since the war began, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler.
- Brent crude has traded around $114–$118 a barrel since the strikes began, near the highest levels recorded after the conflict started.
State of play:
- Iran’s parliament has approved plans to impose tolls on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and to bar US and Israeli ships, a move state media says would be implemented with Oman’s cooperation.
- The war is now in its fifth week, with continued cross-border strikes and air operations in Lebanon and Israel reported in recent days.
Between the lines:
- Trump’s timeline signals mounting political and economic pressure at home to end U.S. engagement quickly, but his vow to further degrade Iran’s capabilities suggests the administration intends to keep intense military pressure until withdrawal conditions are met.
- Even if forces leave, Iran’s tolls and barriers to navigation could keep insurance and security costs elevated for months.
What to watch:
- Trump’s planned prime‑time address to the nation and any new operational guidance he lays out.
- The UK-led diplomatic push: the British government says it has rallied 35 nations around a statement of intent on maritime security and will host a follow-up meeting this week to restore safe navigation in the Gulf.
- Whether Iran moves from announcing tolls to enforcing them with interdictions that further choke shipping lanes.
The bottom line:
- A rapid U.S. exit is now on the table, but the combination of unilateral Iranian maritime measures and high oil prices means global economic pain and shipping insecurity could persist even after American forces leave.