US President Donald Trump stated that the United States is considering a 'gradual end' to its military operation against Iran, as Tehran and Israel exchanged strikes on Saturday. Iranian media reported that an uranium enrichment facility in Natanz was attacked. In a social media post, Trump said the US is close to achieving its goals but insisted that other countries must take the initiative in monitoring the Strait of Hormuz. The current near-total closure of the strait threatens to cause a shock in the global energy sector. The Trump administration has sent mixed messages about US goals in the war, which enters its fourth week on Saturday, making it difficult for traditional US allies to respond. Trump hinted at a possible gradual end to the war as the Iranian threat diminishes, while at the same time, US Marine Corps forces and heavy landing ships were deployed to the region with unclear objectives. Trump wrote on Truth Social: 'We are very close to achieving our goals and are thinking about ending our major military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Iranian terrorist regime on a gradual basis.' He added: 'The other countries that use the Strait of Hormuz are going to have to protect it and monitor it as they deem appropriate. We are not going to be doing it.' He went on to say: 'If asked, we will help those countries with respect to the Strait of Hormuz, but it will not be necessary once the Iranian threat is gone.' Trump accused NATO members, who were not consulted on the war, of cowardice for hesitating to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
