Some of President Donald Trump’s advisers are privately urging him to publicly present a plan to exit the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources familiar with the discussions.
The advisers have suggested that Trump should publicly state that the main military objectives of the operation have largely been achieved, the newspaper reported. These objectives have included the destruction of Iran’s missile program, its navy, the termination of Iranian support for regional armed groups, and the prevention of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
White House response
The White House categorically denied the report, with press secretary Caroline Leavitt calling it “nonsense” and asserting that the anonymous sources were not in the room with President Trump. “The president’s top advisers are working around the clock to ensure that Operation Epic Fury continues to be a huge success, and the end of these operations will ultimately be determined by the head of the armed forces,” she said.
Some advisers have warned Trump that a prolonged war could diminish his political support, even though Republicans currently back the strikes on Iran. These concerns have grown as Trump’s advisers received calls from Republicans expressing worries over the war’s impact on the upcoming midterm elections.
For this reason, some in Trump’s team believe a more aggressive communication strategy is needed to frame the conflict positively to the public, particularly amid rising fuel prices.
In response to the Wall Street Journal report, Leavitt argued that the majority of Americans support ending the threat posed by the Iranian regime and the elimination of terrorists, and that this is precisely what Trump aims to achieve.
Public opinion and ongoing conflict
Polls indicate that a small majority of Americans oppose the war, with opinions varying significantly based on party affiliation.
Despite concerns among some advisers, government officials told the Wall Street Journal that the conflict is unlikely to end as long as Iran continues to target countries in the region and Israel continues to strike Iranian targets.
According to a senior U.S. official speaking to the newspaper, Trump is not expected to halt operations until he can present an outcome that he considers a clear victory, particularly while the United States retains a military advantage.
The Wall Street Journal also cited sources familiar with the president’s thinking, noting that Trump is surprised by the fact that Iran has not yet backed down despite continuous American and Israeli strikes.
