ExclusiveTrump Says US Is Considering Wind-Down of Iran War

President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States is considering winding down the military operation in Iran. 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, he wrote in a social media post. However, he said the U.S. won't police the Strait of Hormuz. 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 added. Trump told reporters earlier on Friday that Israel would end the war if the United States decides to do so. However, he ruled out a ceasefire. I was calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East and to reopen dialogue. Would you say that's appropriate? Well, look, we can have dialogue, but I don't want to do a ceasefire. You know, you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side. They don't have a Navy. They don't have an Air Force. They don't have any equipment. They don't have any spotters. They don't have anti-aircraft. They don't have radar. And their leaders have all been killed at every level. We're not looking to do that. Trump's remarks came as more allies voiced support for the plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran after the war. As of Friday, about 20 countries have committed to support the efforts in reopening the Strategic Energy Passageway, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, and Lithuania. Initially, only six countries were on the list.