Iran Conflict Could End Soon, Says Trump; Signals Possible Delay of China Visit

US President Donald Trump on Monday (US time) said that the ongoing conflict involving Iran could be "wrapped up soon," adding that the situation would ultimately result in a safer world.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, "It won't be long. And we're going to have a much safer world when it's wrapped up. It'll be wrapped up soon. I had an obligation to do this. I didn't want to."

Trump also addressed the impact of the conflict on financial markets, stating, "You want to see a stock market go down? Start letting them hit you with nukes."

He acknowledged that markets had shown some reaction but described it as a minor consequence compared to the security stakes involved.

"It's a very small price to pay and, and I thought it was going to go down much more. It is a big chess game at a very high level. And I'm dealing with very smart players," he added.

Will Trump’s China Visit Be Delayed Amid Iran Conflict?

Meanwhile, Trump indicated that his planned visit to China to meet President Xi Jinping could be postponed by about "a month or so" amid ongoing global tensions.

Speaking at the White House, he said, "We're speaking to China. I would love to, but because of the war, I want to be here."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier indicated that the visit may be pushed back.

Trump has been urging China to play a role in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

In an interview with the Financial Times, he said, "I think China should help too because China gets 90% of its oil from the Straits."

How Is Trump Justifying US Military Actions Against Iran?

On the conflict with Iran, Trump defended recent US military actions, warning that Tehran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

"I want wars less than almost anybody. The leaders of Iran are violent and vicious people who killed 32,000 protesters over the last three weeks,” he said.

"If you believe that Iran should have a nuclear weapon, there's something wrong with you because they would use it within one hour or one day. They will use it and they will blow up the entire Middle East, not just Israel,” he added.

Trump claimed that American operations over the past two weeks had severely weakened Iran's military capabilities.

"We have decimated them in two weeks. They have no navy, no air force, no anti-aircraft weapons, and no leadership. Their leadership is gone. Then they set up a new leadership and that too is gone," he said.

He stressed that these actions were carried out not only for American interests but also for global security, stating, "We did a job for the whole world. We took the worst country in 50 years and maybe longer from the ideological standpoint, a country that wanted to blow up the world, a country that is sick."

What Could Happen If Iran Obtains Nuclear Weapons?

Trump further highlighted the consequences of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

"If you give Iran a nuclear weapon, at least a very substantial part of the world would be blown up, and it'll be used almost immediately," he said.

He claimed that American forces had destroyed much of Iran's missile and drone capabilities and weakened its leadership structure.

"We have extinguished most of their missiles and drones. We have fully extinguished two layers of leadership and probably a third," he added.

Referring to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump noted, "We only have one thing to have a little choke point and they have used it very well for years, but it doesn't work. But I think this, if some of these countries that we've been good to for years, get 90 to 95 % of their energy from the Strait of Hormuz."

(With inputs from ANI)