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| Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran |
Trump Faces Difficult Choices as Iran War Drags On
WASHINGTON — August 6, 2026
President Donald Trump faces increasingly difficult choices over how to end the U.S. war with Iran, now in its sixth month, as diplomacy over the Strait of Hormuz develops while the conflict remains unresolved.
An emerging arrangement between Iran and Oman could help reopen the key shipping route but may give Tehran a level of influence over traffic through the strait that Washington had previously opposed. Alternatively, Trump could order another major military operation, potentially extending a conflict that has already created political and economic pressure at home.
The Strait of Hormuz has become central to the dispute. Iran has restricted shipping through the waterway during the war, affecting a major route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the strait should remain open to international shipping without Iranian control, tolls or other restrictions.
The proposed Iran-Oman arrangement could allow some Iranian involvement in managing ships entering the Gulf through the strait, according to people familiar with the discussions. Trump has said an agreement to reopen the waterway could come soon, while Iranian officials have indicated that important details still need to be settled.
A U.S. official said any temporary shipping routes would operate without restrictions and would not be controlled by any party. The statement leaves open questions about how such an arrangement would work if Iran and Oman reach their own agreement.
For Trump, accepting a deal could provide a path toward negotiations with Tehran but would also represent a significant change from Washington's earlier position. Launching another major round of attacks could carry its own risks, particularly as U.S. gasoline prices remain high and public support for the war is weak.
Trump could also continue with the current approach, maintaining pressure on Iran and responding to attacks on shipping when necessary. But that would leave the administration managing a conflict that the president had previously expected to end much sooner.
The political stakes are rising as the November U.S. midterm elections approach. Administration officials now expect the conflict could continue in some form through the election period, according to a White House official. Early voting begins as soon as September in some states.
Trump campaigned on reducing foreign military involvement and focusing more closely on domestic economic concerns. A prolonged war could therefore create political difficulties for Republicans as they try to retain control of Congress.
The president has also faced questions over whether the military campaign has achieved its main objectives. Trump has said U.S. operations killed senior Iranian leaders and weakened Iran's military capabilities, but analysts cited in the article say several broader goals remain unresolved.
Trump recently canceled plans for another large-scale attack after regional partners urged him to give diplomacy more time. At the same time, he warned that the United States could launch stronger attacks if negotiations fail.
Some analysts believe concerns about U.S. missile supplies may have influenced the decision to delay further strikes. Trump has rejected claims that the United States is running short of important weapons.
Iran has also warned that another U.S. attack could lead to retaliation against energy infrastructure in Gulf countries that support Washington. Such an escalation could widen the conflict and create further risks for regional energy supplies.
Even if an Iran-Oman agreement allows shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to resume and Washington and Tehran return to negotiations, a lasting settlement is far from certain. An earlier U.S.-Iran understanding reached in June quickly broke down, despite including limited sanctions relief for Tehran.
The situation has also attracted the attention of other major powers. Former U.S. intelligence official Jonathan Panikoff said China, Russia and North Korea were closely watching the conflict for signs of the limits of U.S. military power.
Some supporters of a tougher policy toward Iran are also urging caution. Their concern is that Tehran is trying to leave Washington with difficult choices before the midterm elections, making it harder for Trump to achieve a clear outcome without accepting significant risks.
For now, Trump's choices remain difficult. A negotiated reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could help reduce the immediate crisis but require concessions, while renewed military action could prolong a war with uncertain political and strategic results.
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