Trump Reportedly Wants Iran War Declared Over as Iran Hits US Positions Across Region

Donald Trump is reportedly considering declaring the Iran war over, even as US forces remain deeply deployed across the Middle East amid Tehran's claims of new attacks on American positions.

Trump has privately discussed with senior aides whether to announce an end to the conflict with Iran, which is now entering its seventh month, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The president reportedly favours the idea and believes sustained economic pressure could eventually force Tehran to dismantle its nuclear programme or lead to the regime's collapse.

The discussions come just days after Washington launched Operation Economic Outcast, a sweeping sanctions campaign targeting Iran's digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping sectors. The Treasury Department said the goal is to cut off 'every economic lifeline' sustaining Tehran.

Pentagon Plans for a Longer Fight

Trump's private push to call the war finished sits uneasily beside the Pentagon's own planning. The US military is maintaining around 50,000 troops in the region, along with 19 warships, air defence units, fighter squadrons, and paratroopers, per the Wall Street Journal.

The buildup is intended to give Trump flexibility, but the decision to extend deployments into 2027 suggests the Pentagon is preparing for a prolonged confrontation.

US forces remain active across the region, intercepting Iranian missiles, supporting maritime security around the Strait of Hormuz and carrying out strikes on Iranian military targets.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is also reportedly extending deployment schedules, putting added strain on service members, ship crews and military maintenance systems.

Iran Claims New Attacks

Meanwhile, Iranian forces have claimed fresh strikes on bases and facilities used by US forces across the Gulf, including in Kuwait, while regional governments have reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones. AP reported that Kuwait and Bahrain said they had come under attack, though no casualties were immediately reported.

The latest escalation followed US strikes that Iranian officials said hit a wedding gathering in Kuhestak, a coastal town in Hormozgan province. Iranian state media and a human-rights group said four people were killed and more than 60 wounded when a US strike hit a home where a wedding was taking place in Kuhestak. Trump meanwhile warned that the US was prepared to carry out further strikes if Iran retaliated.

US Midterms Loom Over Strategy

The political calendar is also shaping the White House debate. Reuters reported that top Trump aides are pushing to keep the Iran war from escalating before November's midterm elections, fearing a wider conflict could damage Republican chances. One White House official told Reuters: 'We are keeping the pressure on Iran. But November is a priority.'

Trump has told aides that electoral consequences are not driving his decisions, according to reports. But the administration's current posture suggests a balancing act: avoiding an escalation that could prove politically damaging while maintaining enough military power to strike again.

Oil Markets Feel the Pressure

The uncertainty is already hitting markets. Oil prices climbed to fresh six-week highs on Thursday as renewed US-Iran strikes raised fears over Middle East supply disruptions.

Reuters reported that Brent crude rose to $97.29 a barrel on Thursday, while US West Texas Intermediate climbed to $93.04.

The renewed surge in oil prices adds another source of economic pressure as governments and consumers absorb the wider effects of the prolonged conflict.