Trump insists Iran operations 'extremely' ahead of schedule

AFP / France 24
by FRANCE24
March 26, 2026
3 min read

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Trump claims military operations against Iran are ahead of schedule and are being used as leverage to push Iran toward negotiations.

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Trump claimed Thursday that military operations against Iran are progressing faster than his original four-to-six-week timeline, using a cabinet meeting to renew pressure on Tehran to negotiate while the US and Israel maintain their offensive. Iran publicly rejected negotiations as Trump sought to accelerate diplomatic talks, suggesting he views military progress as leverage for a settlement. The president's assertion that operations are ahead of schedule contradicts typical military communications and appears designed to signal strength while positioning himself for a negotiated exit from the monthlong conflict. Trump initially projected the campaign would span four to six weeks, a timeline he has now invoked to claim success and push Iran toward the bargaining table. The push for rapid diplomacy underscores Trump's stated preference for negotiated solutions despite the ongoing military campaign.

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