Washington: US President Donald Trump is privately considering declaring the Iran war over, seven months after the conflict began, even as the Pentagon extends American troop deployments in West Asia, a move that could keep tensions alive into next year, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The development follows a fresh exchange of strikes. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that American forces targeted multiple sites across Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against US-linked facilities across the Gulf. Iranian officials said 18 people were killed and 142 injured in the latest US strikes.
According to the report, Trump has discussed with senior aides whether to formally end the war, a step he supports amid rising energy prices and ahead of the US midterm elections.
He believes sustained economic pressure could eventually force Iran to dismantle its nuclear programme. Washington last week launched “Operation Economic Outcast” targeting Tehran’s oil, shipping, aviation and digital-asset lifelines.
However, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is extending troop deployments to preserve military options, signalling the conflict could continue into 2027.
Meanwhile, US forces escorted 40 commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the largest such operation during the conflict.
The military also struck nearly 60 Iranian positions near the waterway, including air-defence, radar, maritime, mine-laying and communications facilities.
