Why ending the war in Iran is getting harder
President Trump boards Air Force One Wednesday on his way to Dover Air Force Base to pay his respects to six U.S. service members who were killed last week. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Yesterday, Iran warned that if the United States were to strike its electricity production facilities, it would respond with harsh retaliation against the U.S. and its allies. Iranian officials stated that energy infrastructure in allied countries is within range of Iranian missile strikes and could be targeted in response.
Today, Donald Trump announced that he is extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the strait for commercial shipping from the previously stated three days to five days.
These developments come as tensions continue to escalate three weeks into the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran. On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Pentagon would seek additional funding for the war — approximately $200 billion.
Despite mixed messaging on the aims of the war, President Trump has said he will decide when the conflict ends. However, not everyone believes it will be that simple.
Thomas Wright, who served as senior director for strategic planning at the National Security Council under President Biden, argued in a recent article in The Atlantic that potential off-ramps in Iran are disappearing, increasing the risk of a prolonged U.S. involvement in the conflict.