The "Two-Week" Exit? Trump Signals End to Operation Epic Fury Amid Peace Negotiations

As of Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the conflict that has reshaped the Middle East—Operation Epic Fury—appears to be entering a decisive, albeit chaotic, endgame. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that the United States is "two weeks ahead of schedule" and could begin a full military withdrawal from Iran in as little as two to three weeks.

While the war enters its fifth week, the "Two-Week Exit" narrative is being fueled by a mix of military success, domestic economic pressure, and a complex 15-point peace proposal currently being negotiated through Pakistani and Qatari intermediaries.

1. The 15-Point Peace Plan: The Terms of Exit

The Trump administration's proposed roadmap for an exit is contingent on several high-stakes conditions:

• Uranium Handover: Iran must surrender its entire stockpile of highly enriched uranium to international or neutral third-party custody.

• Ceasefire: A mandatory one-month ceasefire to allow for the stabilization of the region.

• Missile Curbs: Permanent limits on Tehran’s ballistic missile program and an end to the funding of regional proxies.

• The Counter-Demand: Iran, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf following the death of its top leadership, is demanding formal recognition of sovereignty and billions in war reparations.

2. Humanitarian Breakthrough: The Strait of Hormuz

In a major humanitarian milestone on March 28, 2026, Iran agreed to a UN request to allow agricultural and medical shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

• The Monitoring: Ships are being inspected in Oman to ensure no military contraband is smuggled, providing a vital relief valve for global food security.

• Oil Stalemate: While aid is moving, the transport of oil and LNG remains heavily restricted, keeping global gas prices above $4.00 per gallon in the US and straining the G7 economies.

3. Israel’s Stance: "Operation Roaring Lion"

While Washington talks of an exit, Jerusalem remains focused on its own security objectives.

• The Buffer Zone: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel will maintain a "security zone" in southern Lebanon up to the Litani River even if US operations end.

• Decoupling: Israel’s goal is to permanently separate Lebanon from the "Iranian arena" and ensure Hezbollah is stripped of its offensive capabilities.

Conflict Status at a Glance - April 1, 2026

The Economic "Whiplash"

The primary driver for Trump's sudden exit timeline appears to be the domestic energy crisis. With US national average gasoline prices hitting a three-year high this week, the political cost of a "forever war" in Iran has become too steep. "We leave because there's no reason for us to do this anymore," Trump noted, signaling that the primary objective of neutralizing Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure has been "sufficiently achieved."

Source / Resource: Updates synthesized from White House Press Briefings, JINSA Operation Updates (March 31, 2026), and The Hindu International Highlights. https://www.whitehouse.gov/