President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that Americans should brace for continued conflict with Iran. He predicted that the ongoing U.S. strikes would gradually weaken Tehran’s ability to retaliate, leading the hostilities to eventually ‘peter out.’
When asked if the retaliatory exchanges might persist until Iran could no longer respond, Trump affirmed, “Yeah, sure, I think so. I’d be foolish to say no. You know, you always have to keep your guard up.” Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Maryland, Trump stated, “They’ll get weaker. They’ll get a little stronger, maybe. But they’ll get weaker, and then they peter out.”
“We’re doing very well. We’re trying to be nice — as nice as you can be in a situation like that — but they’re being decimated,” Trump said while discussing the conflict.
These comments signal the possibility of a drawn-out conflict, even as Trump has alleged that U.S. actions have severely weakened Iran’s military capacity. The White House, earlier this year, announced that U.S. forces had fulfilled the objectives of Operation Epic Fury, which included dismantling Iran’s naval capabilities and degrading its missile and drone systems. Despite this, Iran has persisted in launching missiles and drones at U.S. installations and continues to pose threats to commercial maritime traffic.
Trump voiced skepticism about a diplomatic resolution, noting he was “losing faith” in a potential deal with Iran due to Tehran’s dishonesty about negotiations. “They do lie, and they do misrepresent,” Trump said. “All they do is make me angry.”
The tension leaves an uncertain climax to the conflict as the U.S. nears the November midterm elections, increasing political pressure on Trump to clarify the war’s conclusion. The recent increase in hostilities began after Iran targeted commercial shipping following a temporary agreement breakdown, which had been struck in June to recommence trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
This tentative accord had faltered by July, propelling a renewed exchange of military strikes. The U.S. response included significant attacks on Iranian military resources, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ command centers and other strategic facilities.
Attempts by Oman, Qatar, Pakistan, and Egypt to mediate the conflict have currently reached an impasse over disagreements on maritime control, sanctions relief, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions amid the ongoing military and diplomatic exchanges.