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Trump Told Privately Iran War Could Drag On for Years
(MENAFN) Top advisers have cautioned President Donald Trump behind closed doors that the standoff with Iran may stretch on for years, possibly outlasting his current term in office, according to a Wednesday report from The Wall Street Journal.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other high-ranking officials have raised with Trump the prospect that Tehran might keep resisting American pressure even in the face of a naval blockade, sanctions and ongoing military strikes, the report said.
Those internal warnings stand in stark contrast to Trump's public messaging, which has repeatedly promised a swift end to the fighting. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, he said the war would conclude "immediately" once November's midterm elections pass, insisting "they can't hold out any longer."
Now in its seventh month, the conflict has claimed the lives of 18 U.S. servicemembers and stirred worry over strained military resources and ripple effects across global energy markets. Gas prices in the U.S. climbed to an average of $4.22 a gallon Wednesday — up from $4.01 a month prior and $3.19 a year earlier — per data from the American Automobile Association (AAA).
While pushing for a fast resolution, Trump has continued to back a sweeping economic pressure campaign against Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has framed the effort, known as "Operation Economic Outcast," as a substitute for large-scale military engagement.
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales defended the administration's record, stating: "President Trump has destroyed Iran's military capabilities and is crippling what's left of its abysmal economy with the most powerful naval blockade in world history and crushing sanctions." She added: "Only President Trump knows what he will do and when."
Vance similarly declined to offer a timeline for when hostilities might wind down. "It would be irresponsible for us to write out our strategy and our timeline for an Iranian nation that simply cannot honor its commitments and cannot stop shooting at commercial ships," he said.
According to the report, the Pentagon is moving to extend the deployment of certain air defense units in the Middle East indefinitely, with a third Marine Expeditionary Unit expected to arrive in the region this fall.
Brookings Institution Iran specialist Suzanne Maloney said the blockade strategy is unlikely to force a quick breakthrough. "The U.S. naval blockade is unlikely to produce a decisive outcome in the near or even medium term, so the only realistic use of this tool would have to be predicated on plans for a long-term siege," she said.
"Even then, its prospects for success are dubious, mainly because of the unintended consequences," she added.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other high-ranking officials have raised with Trump the prospect that Tehran might keep resisting American pressure even in the face of a naval blockade, sanctions and ongoing military strikes, the report said.
Those internal warnings stand in stark contrast to Trump's public messaging, which has repeatedly promised a swift end to the fighting. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, he said the war would conclude "immediately" once November's midterm elections pass, insisting "they can't hold out any longer."
Now in its seventh month, the conflict has claimed the lives of 18 U.S. servicemembers and stirred worry over strained military resources and ripple effects across global energy markets. Gas prices in the U.S. climbed to an average of $4.22 a gallon Wednesday — up from $4.01 a month prior and $3.19 a year earlier — per data from the American Automobile Association (AAA).
While pushing for a fast resolution, Trump has continued to back a sweeping economic pressure campaign against Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has framed the effort, known as "Operation Economic Outcast," as a substitute for large-scale military engagement.
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales defended the administration's record, stating: "President Trump has destroyed Iran's military capabilities and is crippling what's left of its abysmal economy with the most powerful naval blockade in world history and crushing sanctions." She added: "Only President Trump knows what he will do and when."
Vance similarly declined to offer a timeline for when hostilities might wind down. "It would be irresponsible for us to write out our strategy and our timeline for an Iranian nation that simply cannot honor its commitments and cannot stop shooting at commercial ships," he said.
According to the report, the Pentagon is moving to extend the deployment of certain air defense units in the Middle East indefinitely, with a third Marine Expeditionary Unit expected to arrive in the region this fall.
Brookings Institution Iran specialist Suzanne Maloney said the blockade strategy is unlikely to force a quick breakthrough. "The U.S. naval blockade is unlikely to produce a decisive outcome in the near or even medium term, so the only realistic use of this tool would have to be predicated on plans for a long-term siege," she said.
"Even then, its prospects for success are dubious, mainly because of the unintended consequences," she added.
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