Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi says Iraq will be entirely liberated from IS, or ISIS, in three months.
Mr Abadi had previously predicted Iraqi forces backed by the United States would retake the city of Mosul by the end of this year, and that prediction is going to fall short.
He says ensuring the safety of the city's residents has delayed the process.
But after a commander of the US-led coalition warned it could take up to two years to eliminate IS cells from Syria and Iraq, Mr Abadi has expressed confidence victory in Iraq is close.
"In the past, the Americans were very pessimistic, and they were talking about very long times, but victories achieved by our heroic and brave fighters over ISIS have helped reduce this period in Syria and Iraq to two years. I believe that, in Iraq, it might take three months and, in Syria, it would take two years. That's my calculation."
The Iraqi prime minister says he hopes reclaiming Iraq will help overthrow IS in Syria sooner than predicted, though.
"Syria, in general -- and in eastern Syria, in particular -- still has IS there. We will need time to get rid of IS over there, but I hope that our victories would shorten this period. Perhaps two years are needed to fully eliminate IS, but I hope that IS in Syria will be dealt a major blow earlier than that. It might be in the coming year. According to indicators I have, and in view of agreements between the American and the Russian sides and Syria's neighbouring countries, if it happens, this period can be further reduced to less than two years. I say this is an exceptional Iraqi success."
As US-backed forces edge closer to victory, hundreds of displaced Iraqis are waiting to be transported to camps after fleeing their homes in eastern Mosul.
Rapid Response Unit spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Abdelamir Mohammedawi says officials temporarily ceased operations to provide safe passage for residents to leave.
"Dozens of families have fled from the Intisar, Zuhoor and Karama neighbourhoods as a result of random shelling perpetrated by IS that targeted these areas. So we decided to halt our operations this morning in order to secure a safe route for these families. After we did so, dozens of families left."
Meanwhile, Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the US-led coalition forces of supporting what he calls terrorist groups in Syria.
He says Turkey has firm evidence supporting his claim, which includes IS as well as Kurdish groups Turkey opposes.
"What were the coalition forces saying in the beginning? They were saying, 'We will fight against the terrorist organisation IS until the end.' In fact, they were accusing us of supporting IS. Now they've all disappeared. On the contrary, they give support to terrorist groups, including IS, the YPG and PYD. It's very clear. We have confirmed evidence, with pictures, photos and videos."
Mr Erdogan is calling on the United States to provide greater air support for Turkish-backed troops in Syria.
His spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, says the international coalition is neglecting its duties regarding aerial support.
"The latest phase of the operation Euphrates Shield, held in al-Bab and its surroundings, is a fight carried out under the umbrella of fighting against IS. We would like to emphasise that the international coalition must carry out its duties regarding aerial support. It is unacceptable that certain circles, who always criticise Turkey in its fight against IS, are not giving necessary support to the operations that are carried out in Azaz-Jarablus as well as Dabiq and al-Bab."
Russia is condemning the United States for its decision to ease restrictions on providing weapons to Syrian rebels.
Russian foreign-ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says easing restrictions opens the way for shoulder-fired, anti-aircraft missiles to enter Syria.
She says it is a move that directly threatens Russian forces.
The US State Department is defending the decision.
