Trump Claims War Will End Soon as Israel Strikes Beirut Amid Rising Tensions

President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the ongoing war involving Iran "will be over quickly," signaling a possible de-escalation after nearly ten weeks of conflict. His comments came as Israel launched its first airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs since the April ceasefire, targeting Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force commander. The attack injured four Israeli soldiers and underscored the fragile and volatile nature of the ceasefire in Lebanon.

Trump’s administration has faced significant pushback over its proposed “Project Freedom,” a plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz to counter Iranian threats. Reports revealed that key US allies in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, blocked American military access and airspace in response to the surprise announcement. Saudi Arabia explicitly refused to allow US servicemembers to operate from the Prince Sultan Airbase or transit its airspace, signaling deep regional concerns about escalating tensions.

In response to this backlash, Trump quickly announced a pause to “Project Freedom,” citing “great progress” in peace talks with Iran. Iranian officials confirmed they were reviewing a US proposal to formally end hostilities, with negotiations reportedly close to finalizing a framework that could ease sanctions, limit Tehran’s nuclear program, and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping route. However, major disagreements remain, and Tehran has yet to formally accept the terms.

Trump claimed that Iran is eager to make a deal and repeated his assertion that Tehran has agreed never to pursue nuclear weapons—an unverified claim that Tehran has not publicly confirmed. The administration’s narrative of victory and imminent peace contrasts sharply with the ongoing violence and diplomatic uncertainty in the region.

This latest flare-up highlights the Trump administration’s pattern of reckless brinkmanship combined with last-minute retreats when confronted with regional resistance. The US push for military escalation has not only alienated key allies but also risks dragging the region deeper into conflict under the guise of countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions. As the war grinds on, the stakes for American credibility and regional stability remain dangerously high.