US President Donald Trump is privately considering whether to declare an end to the war with Iran, despite ongoing military preparations by the Pentagon in the region, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.
The newspaper said Trump has discussed with senior advisers the possibility of formally declaring the conflict over, a move that he reportedly favours.
According to the report, Trump believes sustained economic pressure will eventually force Tehran either to:
- Dismantle its nuclear programme, or
- Face economic collapse.
Economic pressure campaign
Last week, the United States launched Operation Economic Pariah, targeting key sectors of Iran's economy, including:
- Oil
- Shipping
- Aviation
- Gold
- Technology
- The digital economy
The strategy reflects the administration's view that economic isolation can achieve US objectives without a prolonged military engagement.
Military build-up continues
Despite discussions about ending the conflict, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon is continuing to expand deployments in the Middle East, suggesting the confrontation could continue well into next year.
The United States currently maintains approximately:
- 50,000 military personnel in the region
- 19 warships
- Two aircraft carriers
- 13 guided-missile destroyers
According to the report, the force posture is intended to provide the US president with maximum operational flexibility as the crisis evolves.
The apparent contrast between Trump's reported preference for declaring an end to the war and the continued military build-up highlights the uncertainty surrounding Washington's next steps in its confrontation with Tehran.
Source: Wall Street Journal
