ToplineThe U.S. war against Iran will not continue for much longer, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Friday, claiming the U.S. can achieve its goals without ground troops, more of which have been deployed to the Middle East in recent weeks.Rubio attended the G7 Summit in France on Friday.Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / POOL / AFP via Getty ImagesKey FactsRubio told reporters following a G7 meeting in France the war in Iran will not be a “prolonged conflict,” estimating it would last “weeks, not months.”Rubio reportedly told G7 foreign ministers the war would specifically last “two to four weeks,” Axios reported, citing three unnamed sources with direct knowledge.It has been nearly one month since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks from Iran against neighboring countries allied with the U.S. and sending gas prices soaring.Rubio’s comments come a day after President Donald Trump extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route, or face strikes on its energy infrastructure.Rubio insisted the U.S. could achieve its goals in the Middle East without putting boots on the ground, saying that the recent deployment of thousands of troops capable of carrying out ground assaults in the region was needed for contingencies and “optionality.”How Many Troops Have Been Deployed To The Middle East?Roughly 7,000 troops have been or will be deployed to the region—made up of 5,000 Marines and 2,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division—where the U.S. already has a military presence of about 50,000.TangentAmericans’ views on the U.S. economy reached a three-month low in the wake of the war against Iran, with consumer sentiment dropping to 53.3 in March.Key BackgroundTrump has repeatedly claimed the majority of Iran’s military capabilities have been crippled in recent weeks, openly declaring the “war has been won” as operations continue. At least 13 U.S. service members have died in the Middle East amid the conflict. At least 200 troops have been injured, though the majority of them have returned to duty. As the war has continued, Trump has set his sights on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has established blockades in, only allowing ships from friendly countries to pass through. Trump, who failed to convince NATO allies to help the U.S. control the vital trade route, initially gave Iran a March 27 deadline to open up it. The Trump administration is attempting to get Iran to agree to a 15-point peace deal, with a response expected Friday, according to CBS News.Further ReadingAmericans Sour On The Economy As Iran War Boosts Gas Prices And Startles Markets (Forbes)