United States President Donald Trump is facing growing pressure to bring the war with Iran to an early end as American casualties increase and Tehran finds new ways to retaliate.
Despite the overwhelming military strength of the United States, Iranian forces and allied militias have continued to mount resistance, complicating what some officials initially expected to be a swift campaign.
The Trump administration recently disclosed that about 140 U.S. service members were wounded during the initial attack that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other senior figures. The revelation underscores Iran’s ability to inflict damage even while facing superior firepower.
Speaking to Axios, President Trump said the war could end “soon,” insisting that the United States had already inflicted significant damage on Iran. He said there was “practically nothing left to target,” adding that the conflict could end “any time” he decides.
However, the question of what constitutes victory remains unclear. Some members of Trump’s own party have urged him to declare success and withdraw, arguing that the United States has already disrupted Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions.
Earlier in the conflict, Trump had insisted that Iran must undergo regime change and indicated he would approve the country’s next leader. But recent developments suggest that goal may not be realized, as Iranian authorities reportedly moved to install the late leader’s son as a successor.
Analysts suggest that earlier U.S. success in operations abroad may have contributed to overconfidence within the administration. One example frequently cited is the operation against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and the subsequent control of Venezuela’s oil sector.
Meanwhile, tensions have intensified around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. Trump warned that any attempt by Iran to disrupt oil traffic through the waterway would trigger a much stronger U.S. response.
Reports indicate that Iranian forces may have begun planting mines in the strait, raising concerns about global energy supplies.
Security officials also say militias backed by Tehran have targeted facilities used by American troops in the region. Drone attacks were reported near a hotel hosting U.S. personnel in the Iraqi city of Erbil.
Experts cited by The New York Times say Iran appears to be adapting its tactics after learning from the initial U.S. strikes, including exploiting gaps in American defenses against drone attacks.
In an assessment of the first 12 days of the war, the newspaper reported that Trump and his advisers may have underestimated how strongly Iran would respond to what Tehran views as an existential threat.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that the specific form of Iran’s retaliation may not have been fully anticipated but said the administration had considered such responses a possibility.
Beyond the battlefield, the conflict has triggered wider economic concerns. Rising oil prices have pushed up fuel costs in the United States, while financial markets have experienced volatility, adding to public anxiety about the economic outlook.
Analysts note that Iran could claim a form of victory simply by surviving the conflict, while Trump may seek to end the war quickly to limit political and economic fallout ahead of upcoming U.S. elections.
Culled from Fox News
