Trump says Iran war is 'nearing completion' and threatens NATO exit
In a primetime address President Trump said U.S. military objectives in Iran are close to being met and projected another two to three weeks of action. He also renewed threats to strike Iranian infrastructure, signaled he may pull the U.S. out of NATO over allies' refusal to join the campaign, and faces mounting domestic pain from higher gas and oil prices.
Apr 1, 2026, 7:18 PM EDT
Why it matters:
- The president is signaling a near-term end to a costly, widening war while simultaneously threatening further escalation and an unprecedented rethink of U.S. alliances — a mix that will shape markets, allied cooperation and Congress's oversight choices.
Driving the news:
- In a White House address Trump said the Iran campaign is "nearing completion" and expects it to last another "two to three weeks." - He warned the U.S. will "hit each and every one" of Iran's power plants if talks fail and said other countries must take responsibility for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. - Trump told Reuters and signaled publicly he is "absolutely" considering withdrawing the U.S. from NATO because some members refused to join the war effort.
What they're saying:
- "We are on track to complete all of America's military objectives shortly," Trump said, while repeating threats to bring Iranian infrastructure "back to the Stone Ages." - Iran's foreign ministry called U.S. claims that Tehran asked for a ceasefire "false and baseless," and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted a public letter denying a threat to the U.S. - Mixed reactions in Washington: some Republicans praised the speech as decisive, while leading Democrats said it left major questions unanswered about strategy and consequences.
By the numbers:
- U.S. Central Command said the military has struck more than 12,300 targets and flown over 13,000 combat flights during the campaign. - Average U.S. gasoline prices have topped about $4 per gallon; global benchmarks for crude jumped above $100 a barrel after the speech. - Polling shows roughly two-thirds of Americans want the U.S. to end its involvement soon, even if objectives aren't fully met.
The fallout:
- Markets moved quickly: oil futures spiked and Asian stock indexes fell after Trump said the campaign would continue for weeks. - A NATO withdrawal would require Congressional approval and would strain relations with longstanding U.S. allies, even as the administration pressures them to secure the Hormuz shipping lane. - Economically, continued disruption of the Strait of Hormuz and threats to energy infrastructure heighten the risk of sustained high fuel and commodity prices worldwide.
What to watch:
- Whether Trump follows through on targeting Iranian power plants if talks stall, and whether Iran responds with escalatory strikes on regional targets. - NATO leaders' reactions and any Congressional steps to constrain or endorse expanded authorities for the president. - Oil-price and market moves over the next days as the administration presses its two- to three-week timeline.
The bottom line:
- The president says the Iran war is close to ending but his threats to widen strikes and to rethink NATO membership deepen geopolitical uncertainty and keep markets and allies on edge.