Trump: "War Is Entering Its Final Phase"... Iran Says, "We Decide When It Ends" [U.S.–Iran War]

The Financial News New York City–Seoul bureau, Lee Byung-chul and reporter Park Jong-won: On the 9th, local time, U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes "the war is entering its final phase," stressing the need for an early end to the conflict. Marking the tenth day of the war with Iran, he told CBS News in a phone interview that developments on the ground are "far ahead" of the initially expected four to five weeks, raising the prospect of an earlier-than-expected conclusion.
On the same day, he also held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss options for ending the war with Iran. Because President Donald Trump is reported to have proposed the call, analysts say a full-fledged exit strategy for the Iran war is now taking shape. Russia maintains close ties with Iran, and China, France and the Republic of Türkiye have also begun reaching out to Tehran, heightening expectations for an end to the fighting. Referring to the Strait of Hormuz, a key international oil shipping lane, President Donald Trump noted that vessels are currently passing through and added, "We are also thinking about taking control of it."
Meanwhile, international oil prices, which had briefly surged above $100 a barrel during trading on the 9th, local time, reversed course after President Donald Trump’s remarks that the war is entering its final phase and on expectations of measures to stabilize prices. After a roller-coaster session of sharp swings, prices retreated back into the $80-per-barrel range.
By around 5 a.m. on the 10th, Korea time, near the close of the New York City market, Brent Crude Oil was trading at $88.42 a barrel, down 4.61% from the previous close, while West Texas Intermediate crude oil (WTI) was at $84.94 a barrel, down 6.56%. Both benchmarks fell back below the $90-per-barrel level, marking declines from their closing prices on the 6th, the previous trading day.
Trump claimed that he has "taken out the Iranian leadership two or three times," asserting that the leaders who would direct the war for Iran have "disappeared." He went on to say that "new leadership must be put in place to achieve peace," and expressed disappointment that the Iranian government has reportedly chosen Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader of Iran.
Separately, President Donald Trump emphasized at a press conference and a Republican Party (GOP) event held the same day at Trump National Doral Miami in the State of Florida that the war with Iran is unfolding to the advantage of the United States and will end soon. Regarding U.S. military operations against Iran, he warned, "If it starts again, they will be hit much harder." Asked when the operations would end, President Donald Trump replied, "very soon," while adding that it would not be this week.
Iran, however, has maintained a hard-line stance, declaring, "It is we, not the United States, who will decide when the war ends."
pride@fnnews.com Reporter