{"id":100470,"date":"2026-05-06T11:45:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/100470\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T11:45:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:45:17","slug":"all-the-times-trump-said-the-war-in-iran-was-over-and-how-the-markets-reacted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/100470\/","title":{"rendered":"All the times Trump said the war in Iran was over &#8211; and how the markets reacted"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Your support helps us to tell the story<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iOIawn\">From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iOIawn\">At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iOIawn\">The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n<p>Your support makes all the difference.Read more<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/donald-trump\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Donald Trump<\/a> has once again announced that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/iran\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Iran<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/war\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">war<\/a> is over &#8211; despite no peace deal being finalised between the two countries. <\/p>\n<p>The US president has declared the end of military operations against Tehran on dozens of occasions, in what critics have said it is an attempt to calm market instability caused by the conflict. <\/p>\n<p>The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, choking global oil supply and throwing the world into the worst energy crisis in history. <\/p>\n<p>While the markets initially settled in response to Trump\u2019s optimism over ending the war, his repeated declarations are increasingly having a diminished effect. Despite the disruption and chaos, international stock markets are seeing record highs. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2274079334.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Trump has made repeated statements that the war is either almost over or has already been won\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/>Trump has made repeated statements that the war is either almost over or has already been won (Getty)<\/p>\n<p>Initially framed as a short-term military operation beginning with the assassination of supreme leader <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/ayatollah-ali-khamenei\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/a> on 28 February, hostilities between both countries continue despite a fragile ceasefire agreed last month. <\/p>\n<p>Below we look at all the times that the US leader said that the war was \u201cover\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>7 March &#8211; \u2018The war is a minor excursion\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Mr Trump initially framed the war as a short-term operation, akin to the toppling of the Nicolas Maduro\u2019s government in Venezuela earlier this year. <\/p>\n<p>He told reporters on 7 March that the conflict was a \u201cminor excursion\u201d that would ultimately make the world a safe place and boasted that he would accept nothing but \u201cunconditional surrender\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>In the early days he insisted that the operation would last a matter of weeks. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/money\/iran-us-israel-uk-oil-gold-stock-markets-interest-rates-b2933169.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oil prices climbed to over $85 a barrel<\/a> and financial markets endured frenzied swings during the remainder of the month as the future of the conflict appeared uncertain.<\/p>\n<p>9 March &#8211; \u2018We\u2019ve already won&#8230; but we haven\u2019t won enough\u2019<\/p>\n<p>As the war entered its second week, the US leader promised that it would be over \u201cvery soon\u201d. He said that the country is \u201call gone\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe could call it a tremendous success right now,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n<p>Later that day, during. speech at the Republican Issues Conference he said: \u201cWe&#8217;ve already won in many ways, but we haven&#8217;t won enough. We go forward more determined than ever to achieve ultimate victory that will end this long-running danger once and for all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2270481264.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/>(AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>11 March &#8211; Trump says US won Iran war in \u2018first hour\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Two days later, Mr Trump made the confusing comment that the US had won the Iran war in the \u201cfirst hour\u201d while at the same time suggesting that the conflict would be over \u201cvery soon\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou never like to say too early you won. We won. In the first hour it was over,\u201d he said. He told Axios that the war would end \u201csoon\u201d and \u201cany time I want it to end\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>12 March &#8211; \u2018Nothing left to target\u2019, says Trump<\/p>\n<p>The president continued to insist that the war was almost over and said that there was \u201cnothing left to target\u201d after a US-Israeli bombing campaign across Iran. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are pretty much at the end of the line. It doesn&#8217;t mean we are going to end it immediately \u2014 it is only a question of when.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>17 March &#8211; War was over in \u2018two or three days\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIran is just a military operation to me. Iran is something that was essentially largely over in two or three days, because the Navy was wiped out almost immediately,\u201d he told Irish leader xof Ireland, Miche\u00e1l Martin. \u201cThe Air Force came next; the anti-aircraft came next.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2201233713.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/>(AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n<p>20 March &#8211; \u2018We\u2019ve won\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, I think we won,\u201d he told a reporter when asked what he meant by the statement on 20 March. \u201cWe&#8217;ve knocked out their Navy, their Air Force. We&#8217;ve knocked out their anti-aircraft. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ve knocked out everything. We&#8217;re roaming free,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<p>24 March &#8211; \u2018War has been won\u2019<\/p>\n<p>After saying one again that the war would be over very soon, the same week he announced again that it had already been won. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ve won this war,\u201d he told reporters. \u201cThis war has been won.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2274208605.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Smoke rises from Israeli bombardment on the village of Mayfadoun as seen from nearby Marjeyoun (Marjayoun) in southern Lebanon on May 6, 2026. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/>Smoke rises from Israeli bombardment on the village of Mayfadoun as seen from nearby Marjeyoun (Marjayoun) in southern Lebanon on May 6, 2026. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) (AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n<p>He insisted that negotiations were taking place, prompting oil prices to recover slightly. Iran accused Mr Trump of issuing unverified statements in order to \u201cmanipulate\u201d the economy as stocks swung back and forth. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo negotiations have been held with the US, and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped,\u201d Iran&#8217;s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on X in response to the claims. <\/p>\n<p>7 April &#8211; Ceasefire announced<\/p>\n<p>A 14-day ceasefire was announced on 7 April, which Iran insisted should include Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the US insisted the agreement should also ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. <\/p>\n<p>Oil prices dropped and financial markets appeared to rebound after the announcement and the prospect of diplomacy. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778067917_688_download.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rubio said that Operation Economic Fury had ended\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/>Rubio said that Operation Economic Fury had ended (AP)<\/p>\n<p>15 April &#8211; War will be over \u2018very soon\u2019<\/p>\n<p>A week into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/us\/money\/stock-market-today-wall-street-iran-war-b2958559.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ceasefire, Trump insisted that the countries were close to an agreement <\/a>and that the war would be over \u201cvery soon\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>During the ceasefire, the US <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/americas\/us-politics\/trump-iran-us-war-gas-oil-price-b2958080.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">stock<\/a> market <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/business\/donald-trump-middle-east-international-monetary-fund-washington-london-b2957592.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">reached<\/a> a record <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/bulletin\/news\/iran-war-oil-prices-trump-b2957873.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">high<\/a>, extending a two-week rally built on hopes surrounding a resolution to the Iran war.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/sp-500\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">S&amp;P 500<\/a> rose 0.8 per cent and eclipsed its prior all-time high set in January. After falling nearly 10 per cent below its record in late March, a drop steep enough that Wall Street calls it a &#8220;correction,&#8221; the index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts has since roared more than 10 per cent higher.<\/p>\n<p>Much of the rally was attributed to expectations for calming tensions in the war and a resumption of the full flow of oil from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.<\/p>\n<p>17 April &#8211; Trump declares victory over Iran<\/p>\n<p>Trump initially wrote in a post on Truth Social that Iran had \u201cJUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>Minutes later, he added another post minutes later citing the correct name of the waterway and declaring it \u201cCOMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS AND FULL PASSAGE\u201d while claiming the U.S. blockade against Tehran would persist until what he described as \u201cour transaction\u201d was \u201c100% complete.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He called the development a \u201cgreat victory\u201d in a phone call with USA Today and declared the weeks-long dispute over the strait to be \u201cover.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-06T095333Z_1231850401_RC2K3LATU9EV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-OMAN-HORMUZ.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Stranded commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/>Stranded commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz (Reuters)<\/p>\n<p>1 May &#8211; Hostilities have \u2018terminated\u2019<\/p>\n<p>After Trump told Congress that hostilities had \u201cterminated\u201d, oil prices fell modestly after several such statements had been made over the preceding weeks. They then dropped sharply before stabilising. Investors remained cautious with modest recovery in the stock market. <\/p>\n<p>5 May &#8211; Operation Epic Fury is \u2018over\u2019 says Rubio<\/p>\n<p>The increased focus on the Strait of Hormuz also led to oil prices holding steady after Trump announced on Monday that the US would help escort ships out of the vital waterway. <\/p>\n<p>But by Tuesday, secretary of state Marco Rubio announced that Operation Epic Fury was \u201cover\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>Most recently Mr Trump has said that if the US were to return to Iran, the operation would last two to three weeks. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve taken out much of what we\u2019d have to do, probably another two weeks, two weeks, maybe three weeks,\u201d he said on Tuesday <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe either make the right deal, or we win very easily from the military standpoint.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Oil prices retreated and global stocks hit record highs after the president celebrated the \u201cgreat progress\u201d being made in negotiations. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":100471,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[31944,35092,847,35066,20372,35094,28912,22437,35091,1960,9789,100,5084,34,3884,879,93,35090,3046,49,179,35087,9826,5975,35089,20292,35088,5402,443,4108,20019,35086,35093],"class_list":{"0":"post-100470","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-iran","8":"tag-allegiance","9":"tag-banners","10":"tag-beirut","11":"tag-cemetery","12":"tag-ceremony","13":"tag-commemoration","14":"tag-condolences","15":"tag-crowds","16":"tag-flags","17":"tag-funeral","18":"tag-gathering","19":"tag-hezbollah","20":"tag-horizontal","21":"tag-iran","22":"tag-islamic","23":"tag-leader","24":"tag-lebanon","25":"tag-legacy","26":"tag-martyr","27":"tag-middle-east","28":"tag-military","29":"tag-mourners","30":"tag-movement","31":"tag-political","32":"tag-prayers","33":"tag-procession","34":"tag-religious","35":"tag-resistance","36":"tag-security","37":"tag-shia","38":"tag-speech","39":"tag-symbolism","40":"tag-tribute"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@iran\/116527466079137212","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100470"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100470\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100471"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}