US Objectives Shift as Iran Conflict Enters Seventh Month

POLICY WIRE — Washington, USA — President Donald Trump initiated the war with Iran in late February 2026, predicting it would conclude within four to five weeks. However, six months later, the conflict shows no signs of ending, despite Trump’s claims of victory or imminent resolution.

A memorandum of understanding from June aimed to end the war but has since been abandoned. US reserves of crucial weapons have decreased, prompting the Republican administration to shift its strategy towards economic pressure on Iran instead of additional military strikes.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on “Fox and Friends” that no negotiations are currently underway and the situation will persist until Iran engages in meaningful discussions.

The war’s objectives have evolved over the past six months. Notably, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for global oil, has become a primary goal. Iran has effectively closed the strait, significantly impacting fuel and fertilizer prices and exerting economic and political pressure on the US.

The US has achieved some success in degrading Iran’s military capabilities, but other initial objectives remain unfulfilled or have changed. Trump declared in June 2025 that the US had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, yet the war began with warnings that Iran was close to developing a bomb.

A stockpile of approximately 970 pounds of enriched uranium, potentially usable for a weapon, remains a pressing issue. Trump announced on May 29 that the US would retrieve and destroy this material in coordination with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran has not confirmed its consent, and experts warn that seizing it without permission would be a perilous mission.

Tehran reaffirmed in the June memorandum that it would not procure or develop nuclear weapons and agreed to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. However, many details about Iran’s program were left for future negotiations, and it remains unclear if any progress was made before talks ceased.

Trump has suggested that a deal with Iran would involve reopening the strait and ending the US blockade of Tehran’s ports. He has also implied that the US could impose a toll on ships passing through the strait.

Another key objective was to destroy Iran’s missiles and missile industry. Trump initially claimed that 90% of Iran’s missiles and launchers were destroyed, later revising this to 82%. Despite this, Iran has continued to launch attacks in the region.

US Central Command has targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense sites, and missile and drone launch sites. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported significant destruction of Iran’s defense industrial base, with 80 to 90% attrition.

The US and Israel established air superiority over Iran early in the conflict. Rubio noted that while Iran retains some drone capabilities, it lacks the ability to use swarms of drones as it did at the start of the war. He also stated that Iran no longer has a navy, relying instead on small craft for harassment.

Trump added another objective in March: protecting Middle Eastern allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and others. The US maintains a significant military presence in the region, but Trump’s commitment to long-term protection remains unclear.

Degrading Iran’s proxy terrorist networks was also a stated goal. The US has targeted Iranian-aligned militia groups in Iraq, with a significant focus on Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Despite a US-mediated deal for Israeli forces to leave southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament, the militant group has refused direct talks and its leader has vowed not to disarm.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)