Iran and the US are likely to enter into a protracted war. Although the intensity of current hostilities is low, there is little sign of a cease-fire or a return to normal energy flows in the Middle East in the short term. The media quoted a senior Iranian official on Wednesday as reporting that despite rising economic costs, the Tehran leadership is determined to continue fighting because they see the conflict as a threat to survival. The official said that Iran has been able to rebuild its missile capabilities, and if Washington steps up its attacks, Iran will also escalate attacks on targets in the US and the Gulf region. The media quoted US officials as reporting that senior White House advisers, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have told President Donald Trump that the war may continue until the end of his current term, which is January 2029. The conflict has reached a certain impasse, and key issues, including control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program, remain unresolved. Trump has repeatedly stated that the purpose of this war is to stop Tehran from manufacturing nuclear weapons. However, since Israel and the US attacked Iran's huge nuclear facilities in June 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency has not been able to verify the status or location of Iran's near weapon-grade enriched uranium stocks.

Iran and the US are likely to enter into a protracted war. Although the intensity of current hostilities is low, there is little sign of a cease-fire or a return to normal energy flows in the Middle East in the short term. The media quoted a senior Iranian official on Wednesday as reporting that despite rising economic costs, the Tehran leadership is determined to continue fighting because they see the conflict as a threat to survival. The official said that Iran has been able to rebuild its missile capabilities, and if Washington steps up its attacks, Iran will also escalate attacks on targets in the US and the Gulf region. The media quoted US officials as reporting that senior White House advisers, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have told President Donald Trump that the war may continue until the end of his current term, which is January 2029. The conflict has reached a certain impasse, and key issues, including control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program, remain unresolved. Trump has repeatedly stated that the purpose of this war is to stop Tehran from manufacturing nuclear weapons. However, since Israel and the US attacked Iran's huge nuclear facilities in June 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency has not been able to verify the status or location of Iran's near weapon-grade enriched uranium stocks.