Trump Says War In Iran Will End 'Soon' Because There Is 'Practically Nothing Left To Target'

President Donald Trump said the war in Iran will end "soon" because there is "practically nothing left to target," according to a new report.

Speaking to Axios, Trump said "any time I want it to end, it will end." The outlet, however, noted that despite the president's claims both U.S. and Israeli officials say there has been no internal directive on when the fighting might stop. In fact, they are preparing for at least two more weeks of strikes.

Trump is being urged by some Republicans to declare victory and end the war, as energy shocks stemming from it and internal opposition at the domestic level could erode the party's standing ahead of the midterms later this year.

Among them is Sen. Josh Hawley, who said on Tuesday that the war's goals have been achieved. Speaking to Fox News' Jesse Watters, Hawley was asked about remarks from Democratic colleague Mark Kelly, who said the war is "not going well."

Hawley rejected the notion, saying "if you look at our overriding priority here, which is to deny nukes to these crazy people, how can you look at what's happened in the last year?"

However, he went on to suggest victory should be declared as uncertainty over the chances of toppling the regime remain and Tehran vows to disrupt the world economy.

"I mean, you had Trump taking out the nukes back in June. Now you've had the last ten days. Does anybody really think these people are ever gonna try to make a nuke again? What would they make it with, like charcoal? This is an overriding success," Hawley said during a passage of the interview.

However, it is unclear whether hostilities would cease if Trump declares victory. Iran has vowed to continue the war, saying on Wednesday that it launched its "most intense operation since the beginning of the war." Tehran also attacked three ships near the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which 20% of the world's oil passes through. The U.S. received intelligence claiming that Tehran began laying mines there, but so far the number is small. Trump noted that U.S. strikes destroyed 16 mine-laying boats, disrupting Iran's plans.

A military spokesperson said Iran won't less a "single liter of oil" pass through the waterway, claiming that prices will skyrocket to $200 per barrel. To counter that, the International Energy Agency proposed the largest release of oil reserves in its history, according to The Wall Street Journal.