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US President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Friday. Trump said he expects the war with Iran to end soon and stressed that US military ammunition is "virtually unlimited in supply." [AFP]
US President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Friday. Trump said he expects the war with Iran to end soon and stressed that US military ammunition is "virtually unlimited in supply." [AFP]

US President Donald Trump expressed renewed optimism Friday that the war with Iran would end soon, while strongly rebuffing media reports that US military stockpiles of interceptor missiles and precision-guided munitions have been rapidly depleted. The US has ammunition that is "virtually unlimited in supply," he said.

Speaking at an executive order signing ceremony at the White House on Thursday, Trump was asked about the outlook for oil prices. "Those days will come back soon — as soon as the war is over," he said. "I think the war will end soon. I don't think it can go on much longer."

"We are doing very well," he added. "I am involved in the negotiations and things are going well. An end to the war could come soon."

Trump did not, however, address ongoing negotiations between Iran and Oman over passage through the Strait of Hormuz, nor any specific truce discussions.

His remarks appeared intended to highlight the prospect of an early end to the conflict, amid growing domestic concern over its prolonged duration, elevated oil prices and rising military expenditures.

Trump also firmly denied concerns about shortages in US military ammunition stockpiles.

"We have very powerful ammunition and it is virtually unlimited in supply," he said. "We literally have a massive amount of ammunition."

The comments directly rebutted recent US media reports that the military has burned through large quantities of interceptor missiles and precision-guided weapons during the conflict with Iran, drawing stockpiles down to dangerously low levels — a trend that has reportedly raised alarm within senior military leadership.

US outlets have reported in recent weeks that the faster-than-expected consumption of key weapons — including Patriot interceptor missiles and SM-series surface-to-air missiles — has fueled growing concern about the military's ability to sustain a prolonged campaign.

Trump repeatedly stressed the military's ample stockpiles and production capacity, insisting there are no problems with US combat readiness.


sjy@heraldcorp.com