Senior officials in the administration of Donald Trump said the ongoing conflict with Iran could end within weeks, even as Tehran insisted it would continue fighting and defending itself.

The war, now in its third week, has disrupted global energy markets as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, has slowed sharply amid security concerns and attacks.

Speaking on ABC’s This Week, Chris Wright said the administration believes the military campaign is progressing faster than expected.

“Hey, there’s no guarantees in wars at all,” Wright said in an interview with ABC anchor Martha Raddatz. However, he added that officials expected the conflict to conclude soon.

“I think that this conflict will certainly come to an end in the next few weeks — could be sooner than that,” he said.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett echoed that assessment, saying the campaign was ahead of schedule.

“The Department of War believed that it would take four to six weeks to complete this mission and that we’re ahead of schedule,” Hassett said during an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation.

The conflict has already triggered major disruptions in global oil markets. The slowdown in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical passage for global energy supplies — has pushed oil prices higher and raised concerns about economic volatility.

US officials say Washington is urging allies to help secure the waterway and protect commercial shipping.

Meanwhile, Abbas Araghchi rejected suggestions that Tehran was seeking a ceasefire or negotiations.

“No, we never asked for a cease-fire, and we have never asked even for negotiation,” Araghchi said in an interview with CBS moderator Margaret Brennan.

He added that Iran would continue defending itself against what it described as US aggression.

“We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,” he said, accusing Washington of initiating the conflict.