Trump Weighs Declaring End of Conflict with Iran While Escalating Economic Pressure
Welat TV – Erbil
The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump is considering whether to declare an end to the military confrontation with Iran while increasingly relying on economic pressure to achieve its strategic objectives, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Economic Pressure as an Alternative
The newspaper reported on Thursday, September 3, 2026, citing U.S. officials that Trump has been consulting senior advisers over the possibility of declaring an end to the war with Iran, amid growing indications that Washington is seeking to rely more heavily on economic pressure.
According to the officials, Trump believes that maintaining intense economic pressure could ultimately force the Iranian regime to dismantle its nuclear program or face the risk of internal collapse, without the need for continued direct military operations.
Extended Military Deployment and Naval Buildup
At the same time, developments on the ground suggest that the conflict could continue for a longer period. According to sources familiar with the matter, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is working to extend the deployment of American forces in the region, potentially prolonging the conflict into next year, the newspaper reported.
As part of the military buildup, two U.S. officials confirmed that 19 warships have been deployed across the region, including two aircraft carriers and 13 guided-missile destroyers.
The officials also said U.S. air defense forces have seen their standard deployment periods extended from nine months to a full year.
Trump Warns of Tehran’s Ambitions
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said U.S. strikes against Iranian targets had inflicted “tremendous damage,” adding that more than 99% of the purpose of the operations was to support the Middle East and Israel and protect U.S. interests.
The U.S. president also warned of Iran’s ambitions, saying Tehran “would have sought to wipe out Israel and the Middle East before turning its attention to Europe and American cities.”
International Concerns Over the War’s Consequences
Current indications from the White House and the Pentagon suggest that Washington is preparing for all possible scenarios in the war with Iran, which has been ongoing for six months.
The situation has raised regional and international concerns over a possible breakdown in the negotiating process and the consequences this could have for regional stability and the global financial system.