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 [1] Friday he has not withdrawn the line.

The paper's Thursday brief already paired the adjective with an empty magazine. 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. Friday prints both halves. An adjective next to a tighter magazine is still an adjective, not a ceasefire.

-- SAMUEL CRANE, Washington