President Donald Trump will address the nation Wednesday night “to provide an important update on Iran,” the White House announced, as he indicated U.S. military forces could be withdrawn from the country within weeks.

Impending Troop Withdrawal

Trump told reporters at the White House he anticipates American troops leaving Iran in “two to three weeks,” asserting there is limited justification for continued U.S. involvement. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the president is scheduled to speak at 9 p.m. EST.

Shifting Stance on Nuclear Deal

The President also suggested a new nuclear agreement with Iran is no longer critical, claiming the country’s nuclear capabilities have been substantially diminished. “Iran doesn’t have to make a deal,” he stated, characterizing the current government as a “new regime” that is “much more accessible.”

He continued, “They won’t be able to come up with a nuclear weapon then we’ll leave whether we have a deal or not. It’s irrelevant now. It’s possible that we’ll have a deal because they want to make a deal.”

Iran's Response and Regional Tensions

Tehran, however, is signaling a more protracted conflict. Iran’s foreign minister indicated the country is prepared for “at least six months” of war and refuted U.S. claims of ongoing negotiations. “Negotiation is when two countries engage in talks to reach an agreement, and such a thing does not exist between us and the United States,” he said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, reinforced this position, pledging continued support for anti-Israeli forces throughout the region. “I firmly declare that the consistent policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on continuing to support the resistance against the Zionist-American enemy,” Khamenei said in a letter to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

NATO and Global Economic Concerns

Trump also indicated he is reconsidering U.S. involvement with NATO, criticizing the alliance’s limited participation in the conflict with Iran. “Oh yes, I would say it’s beyond reconsideration,” Trump said. “I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too.”

The conflict is also raising global economic concerns. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz – a vital oil shipping route – in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes, impacting gas prices.

Escalating Conflict

Tensions continue to escalate across the region. Iran struck an oil tanker off the coast of Qatar and targeted Kuwait’s airport, while airstrikes impacted Tehran. The tanker, contracted by state-owned QatarEnergy, was safely evacuated, with no reported casualties among the 21 crew members.

In Tehran, an airstrike appeared to hit the former U.S. Embassy compound, currently controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard since the 1979 hostage crisis. Israel also reported targeting a facility in Iran believed to be producing fentanyl, alleging Iran has explored its use in chemical weapons.