Trump Wavers on Iran War End as US Strikes Hit Drone, Missile Sites

President Trump acknowledged Monday that the United States has been striking Iranian drone facilities and missile production sites while sending contradictory signals throughout the day about whether the conflict was nearing an end.

At his first press conference since the U.S. and Israel launched operations against Iran, Trump at times suggested the war's conclusion was imminent and at other times said it was not. Rather than pressing for unconditional surrender or regime change, Trump drew a comparison to Venezuela — where a regime remains in place but leadership changes — a framing that drew scrutiny given Iran's far greater regional power and military capacity. Trump did not directly address whether abandoning a push for regime change meant he was walking back earlier pledges about Iranian freedom, according to officials familiar with the exchange.

For Treasure Coast families, the conflict's most immediate economic consequence may be felt at the pump. U.S. oil prices are approaching four dollars per gallon, and analysts warn that a prolonged war could push fuel costs higher — a pressure point for Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River county residents already contending with elevated costs of living. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., whose Florida 21 district covers Martin and St. Lucie counties, has not yet issued a public statement on the latest escalation According to initial reports,.

Iranian health officials report 1,200 killed in the U.S.-Israeli campaign. In Lebanon, where authorities count 500 deaths, President Joseph Aoun is calling for direct negotiations with Israel and is seeking international support to equip Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that launched rockets into Israel last week, triggering Lebanon's involvement. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said Israel views the Lebanese government's posture toward Hezbollah positively but that military operations will continue.

Iran's strategic objective is survival — raising the cost of continued U.S. and Israeli engagement high enough to force a negotiated off-ramp, according to analysts. Keeping energy prices elevated is one lever Tehran is seen as willing to use.

No ceasefire timeline or diplomatic framework has been publicly confirmed by either Washington or Tel Aviv.

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