Trump Says Iran War May End Soon, Delays China Visit to Focus on Conflict

Washington, March 2026: Donald Trump on Monday said the ongoing conflict involving Iran could end “soon,” even as he decided to delay a planned diplomatic visit to China, citing the need to remain in Washington and oversee the military campaign.

Speaking during an extended interaction at the White House, Trump expressed cautious optimism about the duration of the war. When asked whether the conflict could conclude within the week, he replied, “I don’t think so. But it’ll be soon, won’t be long,” adding that its conclusion would result in “a much safer world.”

The US President confirmed that he had personally requested Chinese authorities to postpone his upcoming visit by about a month. The trip, originally scheduled between late March and early April, was expected to include a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

“I’d love to go, but because of the war, I want to be here. I have to be here,” Trump said, underlining that his presence in Washington was essential at a time when the conflict had become a top priority for his administration.

Despite the delay, Trump emphasised that relations with China remain stable. “We have a very good relationship, and I’m looking forward to being with them,” he said, suggesting that the postponement was purely due to operational considerations rather than diplomatic strain.

War Takes Priority Over Diplomacy

The remarks came shortly after Trump signed a memorandum related to domestic fraud, but much of the discussion quickly shifted to the conflict with Iran and the broader geopolitical implications.

Trump defended the US military campaign, stating that it was undertaken out of necessity, even though he would have preferred to avoid war. “I had an obligation to do this. I didn’t want to make this journey,” he said, framing the operation as a preventive measure.

He argued that failure to act could have led to serious consequences for the United States and its allies. “If I didn’t do what I did, we would have been hit,” he said.

The President also portrayed the campaign as a global effort rather than a purely national one. “We did a job for the world, not a job for us, for the whole world,” he added.

Claims of Significant Damage to Iran

Trump reiterated his administration’s position that the conflict has already substantially weakened Iran’s military capabilities. He claimed that Tehran’s naval and air power had been effectively neutralised.

“They have no navy. They have no air force. They have no anti-aircraft weapons. They have no leadership,” Trump said, describing the scale of the damage inflicted.

While such claims could not be independently verified, the President maintained that the US campaign had successfully reduced threats posed by Iran, particularly in terms of missile and drone attacks.

Economic Impact and Market Reaction

Addressing concerns over the economic fallout of the conflict, Trump acknowledged that he had expected a sharper reaction from financial markets. However, he suggested that any downturn had been less severe than anticipated.

“I thought it was going to go down much more,” he said, referring to stock market performance. He added that even if there were short-term disruptions, they would be manageable in the larger context.

“I think it’s a very small price to pay,” Trump remarked, indicating that the administration viewed the economic cost as justified given the perceived security gains.

China Visit Likely to Be Rescheduled

Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the President’s visit to China remains an important diplomatic engagement, though its timing could change depending on developments in the conflict.

“The President looks forward to meeting President Xi in China,” she said, adding that both leaders were keen on holding talks. However, she acknowledged that “there’s a possibility the trip could be delayed,” and assured that updated dates would be announced later.

Leavitt stressed that the war currently dominates the administration’s priorities. “As Commander-in-Chief, it’s his number one priority right now to ensure the continued success of this operation,” she said, referring to the ongoing military campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury.

Global Outreach and Strait of Hormuz Concerns

Speaking earlier aboard Air Force One, Trump said the United States is in discussions with several countries, including China, regarding cooperation to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime corridor for global energy supplies.

Highlighting China’s dependence on the route, Trump noted that a significant portion of its oil imports passes through the strait. “I’ve said, would you like to come in? Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. They should come in,” he said.

The President revealed that Washington has reached out to around seven countries seeking support for policing the waterway. While some nations have responded positively, others have been reluctant to get involved.

Strategic and Diplomatic Balance

Scott Bessent, who is currently engaged in trade discussions with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Paris, said any delay in Trump’s visit would likely be due to logistical and operational factors rather than political disagreements.

“If the meeting is rescheduled, it would be because of logistics,” Bessent said, adding that the President may prefer to remain in the United States while the war is ongoing.

As tensions continue in the Middle East, Trump’s decision to postpone his China trip underscores the growing urgency of the conflict and its impact on global diplomacy. While Washington continues its military operations, it is also working to build international cooperation to manage the broader consequences of the crisis.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)