President Donald Trump is privately discussing with senior aides the possibility of declaring the war in Iran over, according to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.
The US President reportedly favors ending the conflict, which is now in its seventh month, believing that sustained economic pressure on Tehran will ultimately lead to the regime dismantling its nuclear program or collapsing.
However, some of Trump's advisors have cautioned that further escalation of the war could negatively impact Republican prospects in the upcoming November midterm elections. The President has stated he is not considering electoral consequences in his decision-making regarding the war.
Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated that the US military remains prepared for further strikes "any time we want," similar to the action taken this 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."
Trump also posted on social media, asserting, "I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing." He questioned when the Iranian people would rise up against their government.
Previously, Trump had appeared to shift towards using economic sanctions to compel Iran, warning of significantly harder and higher-level retaliation if Iran responded to new strikes.
Despite threats, Iran continued attacking US military bases in Kuwait on Thursday, as the war enters its seventh month. Iran's Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei warned the US of a "new strategy" that would "shatter your foundations."
Fighting between the US and Iran has intensified since the weekend, following a month-long lull. This surge in activity followed US strikes on Iranian rocket launchers on an island in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran countered by firing missiles at American bases in Jordan, all of which were intercepted.
Kuwait's army reported intercepting a missile and drone attack from Iran on Thursday, with Iranian state television confirming that Tehran was targeting US bases in the Gulf state "in response to America's crimes against the Iranian people." On Wednesday, Bahrain, which hosts a significant US naval base, intercepted an Iranian aerial attack, accusing Iran of "attacks targeting civilians."
The renewed violence has contributed to a spike in oil prices and global economic instability. Brent crude oil prices climbed above $95 a barrel, a more than 30 percent increase since the war began, though prices later sank on Thursday after Trump suggested the bombing campaign might not last much longer.
Prior to the attacks on Bahrain, Iran had fired 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.
US Central Command stated Tuesday night that it had completed a series of strikes against Iranian military targets, including air defense sites, radar systems, and maritime assets.
According to Iranian media, one US strike hit a wedding home, resulting in at least five deaths, including a child, and wounding at least 68 others. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed two oil tankers were disabled by sea mines while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, stating the tankers' crews were handed over to US operatives. The Guards also asserted that Iranian drones targeted US forces and radar installations at bases in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. They also claimed US attacks in western Iran killed four personnel from the IRGC Aerospace Force.
During the recent pause in fighting, the US intensified economic sanctions on Iran, which has been grappling with high inflation, negative economic growth, and a devalued currency. These measures aimed to secure concessions from Iran regarding traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's traded oil passes.
Trump had suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz "Trump Strait," a comment he later implied was not serious.
US Central Command stated its latest attacks were in response to Iran's attempts to target commercial ships and American forces in the Middle East. The US military maintains a presence of 50,000 troops in the region, focused on intercepting Iranian missiles, escorting commercial ships, blockading Iranian ports, and preparing for potential offensive actions should Trump decide to escalate the conflict.