Newsfront


Trump Plans to Declare Victory Over Iran


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President hopes policing action will contain threat, but will it work? BY ANNA SCHMENDEL


ore than six months after President Donald Trump launched what was supposed to be a


crushing campaign against Iran, the White House is looking for a way to declare victory — and transform an open-ended war into something closer to a long-term policing operation. As the conflict enters its eighth


month, Trump has privately discussed with senior aides declaring the war effectively over, arguing that Iran has been militarily devastated, economical- ly crippled, and largely stripped of its ability to control the Strait of Hormuz. The declaration would not mean American forces are coming home. Some 50,000 U.S. troops remain in the region, backed by 19 warships, air-defense systems, and fighter air- craft, and the Pentagon is preparing for deployments that could stretch into 2027. Instead, Trump appears to be mov-


ing toward a new phase: declare the major war won, keep overwhelming American military power nearby, police the Strait of Hormuz, and use a massive economic blockade to squeeze Tehran. There is also a political clock ticking.


6 NEWSMAX | OCTOBER 2026 Reuters reported that senior


Trump advisers want to keep the con- flict relatively quiet before Election Day, worried that rising fuel prices and a renewed major war could hurt Republicans. Administration officials could reconsider more aggressive mili- tary action after the election. Tehran has reportedly pursued a


strategy of prolonging the confronta- tion through the midterms, hoping higher oil prices, military flare-ups, and public fatigue will damage Trump politically. Democrats critical of Trump’s war


have also increasingly focused on its costs, duration, and uncertain endgame. For now, however, Trump can


point to substantial accomplishments. American and Israeli forces have


inflicted enormous damage on Iran’s military establishment and nuclear infrastructure. Iran’s leadership has been decimated, including the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran’s air defenses, missile infra- structure, naval forces, and Revolu- tionary Guard facilities have repeat- edly been struck. Trump said Iran is “totally defeated militarily” and called the country a “failed nation.”


He also ruled out any immediate


need to use nuclear weapons, saying there was “no reason for it.” Newsmax can confirm the poten-


tial use of tactical nuclear warheads on military targets has been discussed at the highest levels. The second half of Trump’s strat-


egy is increasingly economic. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent


launched Operation Economic Out- cast, an effort to sever Iran from vir- tually every remaining international financial and commercial lifeline. The administration initially sanc-


tioned more than 60 individuals, enti- ties, and vessels, and threatened for- eign companies doing business with Tehran with exclusion from the U.S. financial system. “We are going to sever all of their economic ties with the outside world,” Bessent told Newsmax, adding: “We are telling the friends and foes that this is the end of the regime.” Iran’s economy is clearly suffering.


Its currency has plunged, unemploy- ment has increased, and sanctions and the naval blockade have sharp- ly restricted the country’s ability to export oil and obtain foreign goods. AP reported last month that more


TRUMP/TOM WILLIAMS/CQ-ROLL CALL, INC VIA GETTY IMAGES


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