President Donald Trump is engaged in private discussions with senior aides about potentially declaring an end to the conflict with Iran, now in its seventh month, according to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. Trump believes that sustained economic pressure on Tehran will ultimately lead to the dismantling of its nuclear program or the collapse of the regime.
However, advisors have cautioned Trump that further escalation of the conflict beyond recent strikes could negatively impact Republican prospects in the upcoming November midterm elections. Despite these concerns, the President has stated he is not factoring electoral consequences into his decisions regarding the war.
Trump told reporters on Wednesday that the U.S. military remains prepared for further strikes "any time we want," mirroring the offensive conducted earlier in the week after Iran attempted to lay new mines in the Strait of Hormuz. "We see everything that they're doing," Trump said. "They can't go to the bathroom without us seeing it."
Writing on social media, Trump stated, "I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing." He added, "They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?"
Previously, Trump had pursued a strategy of imposing economic sanctions to compel Iran's compliance. He warned that any retaliation for new strikes would result in "much harder and higher level" hits.
Despite threats of further U.S. strikes, Iran continued attacking U.S. military bases in Kuwait on Thursday, marking a fresh flare-up in hostilities. Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, warned the U.S. that Tehran had adopted a "new strategy" in the war that "will shatter your foundations."
The renewed violence follows a period of increased fighting since the weekend, after U.S. strikes targeted Iranian rocket launchers on an island in the Strait of Hormuz, leading Iran to retaliate with missile attacks on American bases in Jordan, all of which were intercepted.
Kuwait's army reported on Thursday that it had intercepted a missile and drone attack from Iran, with Iranian state TV confirming Tehran's targeting of U.S. bases in the Gulf state "in response to America's crimes against the Iranian people." On Wednesday, Bahrain, which hosts a significant U.S. naval base, intercepted an Iranian aerial attack, with its military accusing Iran of "attacks targeting civilians."
The surge in violence has led to a spike in oil prices, disrupted the global economy, and created political challenges. Brent crude oil prices briefly surpassed $95 on Wednesday, an increase of over 30 percent since the war began, but later sank on Thursday after Trump indicated the bombing campaign might conclude soon. Asked about the duration of the strikes, he told reporters, "I don't think too long."
In the lead-up to Wednesday's attacks on Bahrain, Iran launched missiles at Jordan and drones at Kuwait, all of which were intercepted. The United Arab Emirates also reported intercepting an Iranian drone over its waters on Monday.
U.S. Central Command stated on Tuesday night that it had completed its latest series of strikes against Iranian military targets, including air defense sites, radar systems, and maritime assets.
One U.S. strike reportedly hit a home during a wedding celebration, resulting in at least five deaths, including a child, and wounding at least 68 others, according to Iranian officials. Additionally, two oil tankers were disabled after hitting sea mines while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported.
The Guards claimed the tankers' crews were handed over to U.S. operatives to transit what they termed an "illegal route" through the strategic waterway, despite prior warnings about the mined passage. Iran's army also stated that drones targeted radar systems and U.S. forces at Al Dhafra and Al Minhad bases in the United Arab Emirates, as well as radar installations and gathering points at Bahrain's Sheikh Isa Airbase.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards further claimed to have targeted U.S. forces in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, and Erbil in Iraq's Kurdistan region. The Guards also announced that four personnel were killed in a U.S. attack in the western province of Kermanshah.
During a previous lull in fighting last month, the U.S. intensified economic pressure on Iran, which has been grappling with high inflation, economic contraction, and currency devaluation. These measures were aimed at securing concessions for unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane through which approximately one-fifth of the world's traded oil passes. Despite U.S. assurances that the strait is open, traffic has remained minimal, with Iran continuing to attack vessels.
Trump had suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz to "Trump Strait," though he later implied this was not a serious proposal. U.S. Central Command stated its latest attacks were a response to Iran's attempts to target commercial ships and American forces in the Middle East. The U.S. military currently maintains a presence of 50,000 troops in the region, focused on intercepting Iranian missiles, providing escorts for commercial ships, blockading Iranian ports, and preparing for potential offensive actions.
