Trump says US to declare 'total victory' over Iran within two weeks

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington would declare "total victory" over Iran within the next two weeks, telling supporters during a tele-rally for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham that the administration is winning the confrontation. The president spoke hours after Tehran and Tel Aviv agreed to halt the latest surge in hostilities.

"We've been a very tough team, and I think we are winning that battle, but you're really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory," Trump said. "It'll be a total victory. It'll happen very soon, and oil prices will come tumbling down," he added.

Iran announces end to strikes

Iran announced earlier Monday that it would end its attacks on Israel while warning of a "crushing" response should Israeli military operations in Lebanon continue. The Iranian military stated that Israel and its allies "should have learned" lessons from Tehran's recent operations, according to state media.

Beirut bombing triggered exchange

Regional tensions spiked on Sunday when Israeli warplanes bombed the Lebanese capital of Beirut in violation of an ongoing ceasefire, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory missiles into northern Israel. The exchange triggered waves of Israeli airstrikes against Iranian targets before Trump intervened early Monday, posting on his Truth Social platform to demand that both sides "stop fighting immediately." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address Monday evening that the fighting with Iran had stopped "for now," though he warned that Israel would retaliate if it came under further attack.