US President Donald Trump on Monday said the war with Iran could end swiftly under certain conditions, while claiming that US actions have already led to major political shifts inside the country.
“Well, it could end very quickly, the war, if they do what they have to do,” Trump told reporters at the White House, indicating that negotiations are ongoing. He said the US is currently dealing with a different set of Iranian interlocutors. “The people that we’re negotiating with now… are much more reasonable,” Trump said, suggesting a shift in Tehran’s leadership approach.
Trump went further, describing the changes in Iran as significant. “You can call it what you want, but I call it regime change,” he said, adding that earlier leadership phases had been removed.
He said the current negotiating group is “not as radicalised” and “much smarter”, and expressed confidence that talks are being conducted “in good faith”. At the same time, Trump made clear that military pressure remains central to US strategy. He said Iran’s ability to sustain the conflict is limited, noting that its remaining capabilities include “some missiles” and “some drones”.
He also pointed to a recent incident in which a US aircraft was shot down but both pilots survived, calling it a rare occurrence in such operations. “They got a little bit lucky… in war, you need a little bit of luck also,” Trump said.
Trump said the US has multiple pathways ahead, including the option of disengagement. “We could leave right now… but I want to finish it up,” he said, indicating a preference to see the conflict through to a defined outcome.
He also introduced an economic dimension to the conflict, suggesting that control over Iran’s oil resources could be a consideration. “If I had my choice… take the oil… keep the oil and would make plenty of money,” Trump said, while acknowledging that such a move may not align with domestic sentiment.
At the same time, he argued that public opinion in the US favours ending the conflict. “The American people would like to see us come home,” Trump said, even as he maintained that the war serves a larger strategic purpose.
The remarks highlight a dual-track US approach — continued military pressure alongside negotiations — as Washington seeks to shape outcomes in Iran.
The evolving situation in West Asia remains closely watched globally, particularly by countries like India with deep economic, energy, and diaspora links to the region.
The Iran issue has long been a focal point of global diplomacy, especially after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, with its ripple effects continuing to influence regional stability and international energy markets.
Trump highlights US military strength
US President Donald Trump on Monday marked Easter at the White House with a mix of religious messaging and political remarks, highlighting the country’s strength and recent military actions.
Speaking at the annual Easter Egg Roll event, Trump called it “a very special day” and said, “It’s a day where we celebrate Jesus… it’s a day where we celebrate religion.”
He used the occasion to project confidence about the state of the country. “Our country is doing so well, like it has never done before… we’ve broken every record on the stock market. We’ve broken every record in our military,” Trump said.
The President also pointed to a recent military rescue mission involving two US pilots in Iran, calling it an example of American strength. “What about the rescue that took place yesterday?… What we did yesterday is we picked up not one, we picked up two,” he said.
Trump described the operation as rare and risky, noting that such missions are often avoided because rescuing a single pilot can cost many lives.
He praised US forces, calling them “the greatest fighters on earth” and said the country has “the most powerful military any place in the world.”
The event also focused on domestic issues, including egg prices, which Trump said had fallen sharply. “They came down 40 per cent, 50 per cent,” he said, crediting his administration’s efforts.
More than 40,000 eggs were used for the event, supplied by farmers from across the country, he said.
First Lady Melania Trump also addressed the gathering briefly, wishing attendees a happy Easter and marking the event as part of the country’s “250th birthday”.
“I hope you enjoyed this beautiful day… Enjoy it and I hope you have a wonderful day,” she said.
Trump said the White House expected between 30,000 and 50,000 people to attend the event throughout the day.
He contrasted the current situation with the past, saying, “One year ago… our country was dead… Today, we have the hottest country anywhere in the world.”
The Easter Egg Roll is a long-standing White House tradition that brings thousands of families to the South Lawn each year.
The event, rooted in 19th-century customs, is one of the most visible public celebrations hosted by the US presidency and often blends seasonal festivities with messaging from the administration.