Trump weighs declaring end to Iran war despite unresolved objectives

The United States finds itself in a protracted conflict in Iran that President Donald Trump does not know how to end, and the Iranian regime does not want to end, according to reporting by John Lyons for ABC News.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has been "quietly extending troop deployments" into 2027, a sign the war could continue well into next year. At the same time, the Journal reported that Trump has discussed with senior aides whether to officially declare the war over, with officials noting that the president "favours the idea".

The initial stated aim of the war—to ensure Iran could never possess nuclear weapons—has clearly not been achieved: Iran still has supplies of highly enriched uranium in a hidden location. A secondary aim of regime change, articulated after the conflict began, has also not occurred. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remains in charge in Tehran, with a more hardline leader in Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father Ali Khamenei after he was killed early in the war.

A later goal, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, has likewise not been met. Before the war, the strait operated normally, moving about 20% of the world's crude oil and gas. Now only a trickle of tankers pass through, as insurance companies are reluctant to offer coverage.

The US has recently sought to widen the conflict, with new waves of strikes resuming last week and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announcing a plan for "economic asphyxiation" of the regime.

While both the US and Iran are feeling the pain of war, the political consequences differ. In Iran, the IRGC is not yielding to internal discontent over shortages of petrol and food. For Trump, though he cannot run for another term, his Republican Party faces two mounting pressure points: growing concern within the party and growing discontent from traditional Gulf state allies.

Why This Matters

The war has disrupted global oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, affecting energy markets worldwide.
A presidential declaration of victory could reshape US foreign policy and military commitments, but it would not resolve the underlying nuclear and geopolitical tensions.
The conflict's continuation into 2027 means extended deployments for US troops and further strain on military resources.

Background

The US-Iran war began with strikes aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Early in the conflict, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed and succeeded by his son Mojtaba Khamenei, who has taken a more hardline stance. The IRGC survived the initial US and Israeli air campaign and retains control in Tehran. As the war progressed, the US shifted its stated objectives from non-proliferation to regime change and then to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, none of which have been achieved. The Trump administration now appears to be weighing an exit strategy while continuing military operations.

Key Perspectives

Trump administration: The president reportedly favours declaring the war over, but Defence Secretary Hegseth is simultaneously extending troop deployments, indicating a gap between political messaging and military reality. Iranian regime: The IRGC has withstood the initial military campaign and shows no sign of yielding, despite domestic shortages. A more hardline leadership in Tehran gives it little incentive to end the conflict on US terms. Critics and analysts: ABC News observes that a president declaring a war over while both sides are still fighting and key objectives remain unmet is a "bizarre notion." The unachieved goals—denying Iran nuclear capability, regime change, and reopening the strait—undermine any claim of victory.

What to Watch

Whether Trump makes an official declaration of the war's end and how that squares with ongoing military operations.
The status of Strait of Hormuz shipping—any increase in tanker traffic would signal de-escalation.
Congressional and Gulf state reactions to continued troop deployments and the administration's strategy.

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