US President Donald Trump said in a brief phone interview with Axios on Wednesday that the war with Iran will end "soon" because there is "practically nothing left to hit."

"A little here, a little there… Whenever I want, it will end," Trump said. "The war is going great. We are way ahead of schedule. We have done more damage than we thought possible, even within the original six-week period."

The president noted that Iran's hostility extends not only to Israel and the US but also to Gulf states. "They were attacking the entire Middle East. Now they are paying for the 47 years of death and destruction they have caused. This is retribution. They won't get off easy," Trump stated.

American and Israeli officials note that no internal guidance on the timing of the end of hostilities has been given yet. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the war will continue "without time limits, for as long as it takes, until all objectives are achieved." Israeli and American sources report preparations for at least two more weeks of strikes on Iran.

On Tuesday, the US received intelligence that Iran had begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz — one of the most critical chokepoints for global oil supplies. The exact number of mines is unknown, but estimates suggest it is very small. Trump confirmed to Axios that US strikes on Tuesday destroyed 16 mine-laying boats and disrupted Iran's plans.

US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper said in a video address that the mission of US forces is to eliminate Iran's ability to project force and interfere with shipping in the strait. "US forces continue to deliver devastating blows to the Iranian regime. US combat power is growing, Iran's combat power is falling," Cooper noted, adding that Iranian missile and drone attacks have dropped sharply.