Trump advisers privately warn Iran war could last through end of presidency: report

WASHINGTON: Senior White House advisers have privately warned President Donald Trump that the war with Iran could continue for years and potentially last through the remainder of his term, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials have reportedly discussed the possibility that Tehran could continue resisting US military and economic pressure despite a naval blockade, sanctions and ongoing military operations.

The private assessment stands in sharp contrast to Trump’s public statements that the conflict could end soon.

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that he expected the war to end “immediately” after the November midterm elections, saying Iran would not be able to continue resisting for much longer.

The conflict has now entered its seventh month, with the prolonged campaign placing increasing pressure on US military resources and the American economy.

According to the report, the possibility of a long-term confrontation has become a serious consideration inside the administration, raising questions over whether Washington can achieve its objectives through continued military and economic pressure.

Vance has also avoided providing a timetable for the end of hostilities, arguing that publicly revealing US plans could undermine the strategy against Tehran.

The prolonged conflict is also affecting American consumers.

The national average price of regular gasoline reached $4.2245 per gallon on September 9, according to AAA data. The organisation has linked the recent rise in fuel prices to continued volatility around the Strait of Hormuz.

Higher fuel costs have added to concerns over the broader economic consequences of the war, particularly as global oil markets remain sensitive to disruptions in the Middle East.

Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire for a rapid resolution while simultaneously expanding economic pressure on Tehran.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has promoted the administration’s “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign as an alternative to maintaining large-scale combat operations.

The strategy seeks to intensify pressure on Iran’s economy while Washington continues to maintain a substantial military presence across the region.

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales defended the administration’s strategy, saying Trump had severely damaged Iran’s military capabilities while imposing extensive pressure on its remaining economy.

She stressed that only Trump would determine the timing and nature of the next steps.

The administration continues to argue that the naval blockade and sanctions are designed to force Tehran to change its position and ultimately create conditions for a resolution.

The Pentagon is reportedly preparing to extend the deployment of some US air-defence units in the Middle East without setting a firm end date.

A third Marine Expeditionary Unit is also expected to deploy to the region this fall, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The military preparations suggest that Washington is planning for the possibility that the confrontation could continue well beyond the timeline publicly presented by Trump.

Iran specialist Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution said a naval blockade was unlikely to deliver a decisive result quickly.

She argued that if Washington intends to rely on the blockade, it would need to prepare for a prolonged siege and accept the possibility of unintended consequences.

The growing gap between Trump’s public promise of a near-term end to the conflict and the private warnings from senior officials highlights the uncertainty surrounding Washington’s Iran strategy.

While Trump continues to predict that the war will end after the November 3 midterm elections, preparations inside the US military and assessments by senior advisers indicate that policymakers are increasingly preparing for a much longer confrontation.