Trump Says Iran War Is “Nearly Complete” After Call With Putin

President Donald Trump said the war against Iran is close to its conclusion following a lengthy phone conversation with Vladimir Putin, claiming that U.S. and Israeli military operations have already crippled much of Tehran’s military capacity.

Speaking to reporters after the call, Trump said the conflict had progressed far faster than expected and suggested the Iranian government’s ability to wage war had been severely diminished.

“I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” Trump said, adding that the United States was “very far ahead of schedule.”

He also asserted that Iran’s armed forces had been heavily degraded during the campaign.

“They have no navy, no communications, no air force,” Trump said while describing the impact of joint U.S.–Israeli strikes.

Hour-Long Conversation With Putin

Trump’s comments came shortly after he held an hour-long phone call with Putin, during which the Russian leader reportedly presented several proposals aimed at ending the conflict quickly.

According to statements released by the Kremlin, Putin discussed possible political and diplomatic paths to de-escalation, including consultations Russia has held with Persian Gulf leaders and Iran’s government.

Russian officials said the proposals were designed to achieve a rapid resolution to the fighting.

Trump later said Putin appeared willing to assist in bringing the conflict to an end.

“We had a very good talk,” Trump said. “He wants to be very constructive.”

Markets React to War De-Escalation Signals

After the conversation, Trump announced that the United States would temporarily waive certain oil-related sanctions for unspecified countries, a move widely interpreted as benefiting Russia.

The announcement immediately influenced global markets.

The S&P 500 rose 0.8% during afternoon trading in New York.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5%.

Energy markets also reacted strongly. Oil prices, which had surged earlier in the day, fell back to around $92 per barrel after briefly climbing as high as $120 per barrel during the escalation of the conflict.

The earlier spike was triggered in part by Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies normally pass.

International Efforts to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz

Several countries have begun military deployments aimed at protecting commercial shipping and restoring energy flows through the region.

President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will send a large naval force to help reopen the strait.

The deployment will include:

• Eight French frigates
• Two amphibious helicopter carriers
• The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier

Macron said the mission would focus on escorting commercial vessels once the most intense phase of the conflict subsides.

“Our objective is strictly defensive,” Macron said. “We want to ensure freedom of navigation and maritime security.”

Meanwhile, Britain has faced criticism for failing to deploy warships after an Iranian drone struck a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus earlier in the conflict.

Rising Military Activity Across the Region

The U.K. Ministry of Defence said it has begun air patrol operations over the United Arab Emirates, where British warplanes recently shot down an Iranian drone.

Across the region, Gulf states have also been forced to adjust oil production as the conflict disrupts exports.

Countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have reduced output as storage facilities fill up while shipments remain blocked.

Russia Offers Support to Iran’s New Leader

Earlier in the day, Putin publicly pledged support for Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed power after the death of his father Ali Khamenei during the opening phase of the war.

In a statement, Putin told Khamenei that leading Iran during the conflict would require “courage and selflessness” as the country confronts what Russia described as foreign aggression.

The message underscored Moscow’s continuing relationship with Tehran even as it explores diplomatic solutions with Washington.

Pressure Builds for War to End

As the conflict drags on, leaders across the Middle East are increasingly urging a diplomatic resolution.

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al‑Thani became the first Gulf leader to publicly call on the United States to seek de-escalation.

He warned that the war has severely shaken regional stability and strained trust between Gulf states and Iran.

“We would like to see de-escalation,” he said. “We would like to see a diplomatic solution that addresses our concerns as well as theirs.”

Global Economic Concerns

The war has also raised fears of economic fallout worldwide.

Earlier spikes in oil prices prompted warnings from European officials about a potential inflation surge if energy costs remain elevated.

Meanwhile, governments and central banks are monitoring the situation closely as supply disruptions ripple through global markets.

Mounting Human Toll

Human rights organizations say the conflict has already caused heavy casualties.

More than 1,000 civilians have reportedly been killed in Iran.

Hundreds of additional deaths have been reported in Lebanon following Israeli air strikes.

Several Gulf states targeted by Iranian retaliation have also suffered casualties.

The United States has confirmed the deaths of seven American service members.

Despite the ongoing losses, Trump suggested that military objectives are close to being achieved and indicated that discussions about ending the war may accelerate in the coming days.