End Iran war or keep options open? Trump, Pentagon appear to take different tracks

US President Donald Trump is considering declaring war on Iran, even as the Pentagon extends troop deployments in West Asia. According to a latest report by the Wall Street Journal, Trump has been mulling over whether to discontinue the war that has extended over seven months now. The discussions come against the backdrop of the Pentagon upping its military presence in the West Asia region.The development came as the US and Iran exchanged new attacks on Tuesday, with the latest escalation raising questions over whether Washington is preparing to wind down the conflict or keep military options open.The US central command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday that American forces had struck multiple sites inside Iran. Tehran responded with attacks on US-linked facilities across the Gulf. Iranian officials said the latest US strikes killed 18 people and wounded 142 others.Amid the fighting, the US also escorted 40 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, two US officials told CNN. It was the largest number of ships protected in a single operation since the war began, according to the officials.US forces also struck nearly 60 Iranian military sites around the Strait of Hormuz. The targets included air defence systems, radar installations, maritime infrastructure, mine-laying facilities and communications networks.Despite the continued military action, Trump has discussed with senior aides “whether to declare the Iran war over", according to the WSJ report. The president privately favours such a move, particularly as the US mid-term elections approach and the conflict pushes up energy prices.Trump believes Iran will eventually dismantle its nuclear programme under mounting economic pressure. His administration last week launched Operation Economic Outcast, aimed at weakening Tehran's main economic lifelines.The operation targets key sectors including oil, shipping, aviation and digital assets.However, the Pentagon appears to be preparing for the possibility that the conflict will continue.US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is quietly extending troop deployments in West Asia, the Wall Street Journal reported. The move is “in a sign that the conflict could drag well into next year".The extensions are intended to preserve the president's military choices while the conflict remains unresolved. The decision would give Trump “options in the war", according to people familiar with the matter cited by the newspaper.The contrasting moves highlight the uncertainty surrounding the US strategy. Trump is weighing a political and diplomatic declaration that the war is over, while the Pentagon is maintaining a military posture that could support continued operations if tensions with Iran persist.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.