Senior White House advisers privately warn President Donald Trump that the Iran conflict may last through the end of his presidency, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing U.S. officials. The warning is attributed to discussions held with Trump in the Oval Office and the Situation Room, including advisers such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The reported assessments suggest Tehran could continue resisting U.S. pressure, potentially prolonging the conflict beyond Inauguration Day in January 2029. Multiple outlets repeat that the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. One outlet notes the advisers’ private view contrasts with Trump’s public statements about the war ending soon.
On Wednesday, Trump says he expects the conflict to end “immediately” after the U.S. midterm elections in November, linking the timing to Iran’s supposed inability to sustain resistance and acknowledging that diplomatic talks remain possible but not preferred. The articles also reference the context of ongoing heightened pressure and continued attacks on shipping since the war’s start about six months ago, underscoring uncertainty about how quickly events may shift.
