President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday that he believed the war with Iran would end soon. "I think it's going to end pretty soon. I don't think they can go much longer," he said, referring to Iran. [1]

The same briefing acknowledged munitions trouble. Reuters reported Tuesday that the U.S. Army had used up much of its global stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles, including ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles. Asked about inventories, Trump said some types were "virtual unlimited" and others were "a little bit tighter." [1][2]

He said U.S. defense companies were building additional production facilities, including plants for Patriot and Tomahawk missiles. [2] Negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz were continuing. Reuters had reported Wednesday that a proposed arrangement could give Iran control over inbound traffic while fees and outbound management remained unresolved. [2]

X hears a countdown to Iranian collapse. The wires hear an adjective sitting next to an empty magazine. Pretty soon is not a ceasefire. It is a sentence that can be repeated until the stockpile, or Iran, gives out. Thursday prints both halves. An adjective next to a tighter magazine is still an adjective, not a ceasefire.

-- SAMUEL CRANE, Washington