According to U.S. officials, senior White House advisors warned President Donald Trump in private meetings that a war with Iran could drag on until the end of his term.
According to *The Wall Street Journal*, officials indicated that during briefings in the Oval Office and the Situation Room, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other officials discussed with President Trump the concern that Iran could continue to withstand U.S. sanctions and other military tactics for an extended period.
According to Trump’s advisors, the conflict could persist until the new president takes office in January 2029.
The newspaper reported that this issue came to light after Trump stated to the press the previous day that the war would end immediately after the November midterm elections, as Iran would no longer be able to hold out. Officials believe that this multi-year war will not only place heavy strain on U.S. military resources but also pose a threat of a long-term crisis in global oil markets.
According to the newspaper, both J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio are considered potential candidates for the next presidential election, though neither has formally announced a bid. The paper notes that these statements by senior U.S. officials contradict Trump’s claims that the United States has defeated Iranian forces and that Iran will soon surrender.
In light of the conflict’s prolongation, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pat Hegseth has extended the deployment of certain troops in the Middle East through 2027 to provide President Trump with military options.
