WASHINGTON, October 22 2026, US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington could end its war with Iran immediately but wants a lasting outcome to prevent the conflict from resuming.
Speaking at a rally in South Carolina on Wednesday, Trump said the United States could withdraw from the conflict now but preferred to ensure that any resolution would hold over the long term.
He also reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and claimed that the United States had imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, referring to the strategic shipping route as the “Trump Strait”.
Trump’s remarks followed a report by The New York Times that the US and Israeli militaries had drawn up plans for possible renewed strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections.
The report, citing US officials and people familiar with the discussions, said Trump had yet to decide whether to authorise the proposed operations. It also noted that he had repeatedly rejected proposals to resume major combat operations this year.
A White House official declined to comment on the reported military plans, telling the newspaper that the administration would not discuss operations that may or may not exist.
The United States and Israel began military operations against Iran on Feb 28. Tehran subsequently retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, while the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments, was effectively closed.
Efforts to resolve the conflict have also stalled. A memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran in June, following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar, has faced disagreements, including over navigation through the strategic waterway.
