Trump Calls Iran Conflict a 'Short-Term Excursion'

President says U.S. attacked Iran to prevent them from 'taking over the Middle East'

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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U.S. President Donald Trump told a group of lawmakers at his golf club near Miami that the conflict with Iran may end soon, calling it a 'short-term excursion' to 'get rid of some evil.' Trump said the U.S. attacked Iran because he believed they would 'take over' the Middle East. The war has disrupted oil and gas supplies, led foreigners to flee business hubs, and prompted millions to seek shelter as bombs hit sites across Iran. Hard-liner Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen to succeed his late father as Iran's supreme leader, signaling Tehran is not close to giving up.

Why it matters

The appointment of the new hardline supreme leader in Iran suggests the conflict is unlikely to end soon, despite Trump's optimistic assessment. The war has already caused significant disruption to global energy markets and displaced millions of Iranians, raising concerns about the humanitarian toll.

The details

Trump told reporters that he thought the pick of Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father as Iran's supreme leader would lead to 'more of the same' for a country that he seeks to change. Thousands of Iranians poured into the streets to show support for the new leader, chanting 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel.' The U.S. stock market initially plunged on the news before recovering, while oil prices spiked to over $120 per barrel before falling back toward $90. Iran's attacks in the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global oil shipments, and Iranian drones and missiles have targeted energy infrastructure in major producers.

  • On Sunday, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen to succeed his late father as Iran's supreme leader.
  • On Monday, Trump spoke to a group of lawmakers at his golf club near Miami about the conflict with Iran.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who has taken a hardline stance against Iran and ordered military strikes against the country.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

The newly appointed supreme leader of Iran, succeeding his late father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He has close ties to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The late supreme leader of Iran, who was killed during the opening salvo of the war with the U.S.

Masoud Pezeshkian

The President of Iran, who has had conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State, who said the administration's objective is to eliminate Iran's ballistic missile stockpile and production capabilities.

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What they’re saying

“We took a little excursion' to the Middle East 'to get rid of some evil. And, I think you'll see it's going to be a short-term excursion.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“If I didn't hit them first, they were going to hit our allies first. I believe upon information and belief. They were going to take over the Middle East.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“America and Israel: You've failed, and you will drown in the swamp you are stuck in.”

— Abbas Ali Saeedipoor, Iranian Demonstrator

“There is not an oil shortage. Prices will drop again soon.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)

“I see no 'room for diplomacy anymore' unless economic pressure prompts other countries to intervene and stop the 'aggression of Americans and Israelis against Iran.”

— Kamal Kharazi, Foreign Policy Adviser to the Office of the Supreme Leader (CNN)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This conflict highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with the appointment of a hardline supreme leader suggesting the war is unlikely to end soon. The disruption to global energy markets and the humanitarian toll on the Iranian people are major concerns, raising questions about the long-term consequences of this military action.