Last Updated on March 21, 2026 4:40 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
AMN / WORLD DESK
In a development that could ease rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Donald Trump has indicated that the United States may soon scale down its ongoing military operations against Iran. The US President said Washington is close to achieving its objectives and is considering winding down the military campaign in the region.
Posting on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote that the US is “very close” to meeting the goals set for the operation, signalling that a reduction in military activity could follow soon. His remarks are the clearest indication yet that the hostilities that erupted on February 28 may be nearing a conclusion.
Escalation and Retaliation
Trump’s comments come amid intensified retaliation by Iran after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel earlier in the conflict. Tensions escalated sharply this week when Israeli forces targeted a major Iranian gas field.
In response, Iran reportedly struck the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar, located across the same gas field in the Persian Gulf. The attack on such a critical energy installation sent shockwaves through global markets, pushing both oil and natural gas prices sharply higher.
The incident raised fears of a wider energy supply disruption, prompting urgent diplomatic and strategic responses from Washington.
US Urges Restraint
Amid the rising energy market turmoil, Trump signalled that Israel would refrain from further strikes on the Iranian gas field. The move appears aimed at preventing further damage to global energy infrastructure and calming volatile markets.
Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel would halt attacks on the gas field at the request of the US President. The facility is considered crucial for Iran’s domestic electricity supply, making it a sensitive target in the escalating conflict.
Sanctions Waiver to Stabilise Oil Markets
In a parallel effort to stabilise global energy markets, the United States has announced a temporary easing of sanctions on Iranian oil exports. The US Treasury has issued a 30-day waiver allowing the sale of Iranian oil that is currently stranded at sea due to sanctions restrictions.
Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary, said the measure is designed to quickly inject additional supply into global markets and help ease price pressures.
According to Bessent, the waiver is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to increase available oil supplies. The US has already taken similar steps in recent weeks involving Russian oil shipments and aims to bring approximately 440 million additional barrels of oil into the global market.
Markets Watching Closely
The developments are being closely watched by energy traders and global policymakers. Any de-escalation in the conflict could help stabilise oil and gas prices, while prolonged tensions in the region — a key hub for global energy supplies — could keep markets volatile.
Trump’s remarks have therefore raised cautious optimism among analysts that diplomatic and strategic adjustments may help prevent a deeper crisis in the Middle East.
