'Wrap It Up': Speaker Johnson Urges End to Escalating Iran War
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US House Speaker Mike Johnson has made striking comments urging a swift resolution to the ongoing Iran War, emphasizing that it's time to 'wrap it up' and distribute the burden among global allies. His call comes amid an intensifying conflict that has seen the United States and Iran exchange heavy blows, raising alarms about wider regional instability. This marks a notable shift in tone from earlier statements, highlighting the mounting pressure on Washington to de-escalate hostilities. The conflict, officially starting on February 28, 2026, began with joint US-Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials, marking a major escalation. Since then, US forces have launched an eleventh consecutive night of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure to assert control over the vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit point. In retaliation, Iran has struck US military targets in Jordan and Bahrain, with 18 US service members confirmed dead and nearly 100 injured, while Iran reports approximately 3,000 casualties. The Pentagon estimates the war has already cost $37.5 billion. Despite Speaker Johnson's call for resolution, President Donald Trump has indicated the US is 'not finished' with its military actions, forecasting a long rebuilding period for Iran. This divergence underscores the complex path ahead for peace, especially as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels threaten a critical Red Sea blockade, further jeopardizing global oil supplies. The international community is now watching closely to see if Johnson's push for shared responsibility and an end to the conflict gains traction, or if the war continues its costly and dangerous trajectory.