WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said the United States could end its war with Iran within two to three weeks if Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, while reserving the right to conduct future spot strikes against the country. He also said he was "absolutely" considering withdrawing the United States from NATO over what he considers the alliance's lack of support for U.S. objectives in Iran.

"We're going to be out pretty quickly." Trump said. He stated that Iran would not have a nuclear weapon because the country is now incapable of producing one, and that he would then withdraw U.S. forces.

He said on his Truth Social platform that Iran had asked for a truce but that he would not consider it until Tehran ceased blocking the Strait of Hormuz. "Iran's New Regime President had just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!" he wrote.

"Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!" he added on the platform.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said that Trump's statements about Iran's request for a cease-fire are false and baseless. Baqaei said that messages had been received through intermediaries, including Pakistan, but that there was no direct negotiation with the United States.

He called NATO a paper tiger and said that leaving the alliance was beyond reconsideration. "I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way." Trump said.

Spain and Italy denied permission for U.S. military aircraft to use their air bases for operations in Iran. The United States criticized NATO members' reluctance to send warships to break up Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz transports about 20 percent of the world's oil and gas.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer said, "NATO is the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen, and it has kept us safe for many decades, and we are fully committed to NATO." Starmer said he would act in the British national interest, that the war was not the UK's, and that the UK would not get dragged into it. Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will convene talks with about 35 countries this week on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has responded by firing missiles and launching drones at targets around the Middle East. The war between the United States and Iran began on February 28, 2026.