Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Trump Open to Ending Iran War Without Nuclear Deal
The United States and Iran are in a big fight.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a very important waterway where many oil ships travel.
Because of this, oil prices have gone up and Americans are paying more for gas.
President Trump wants to find a way for America to leave the conflict and look like a winner.
He told his helpers that he might say America won if Iran opens the waterway again, even without a new deal about Iran's nuclear program.
But Iran has many conditions.
It wants the US to end the war, remove its soldiers, stop the naval blockade, remove sanctions, free frozen money, and pay money for damage.
Trump does not want to give Iran money from American taxpayers.
His vice president, JD Vance, says the US is still 'in the middle of the game.'
An election is coming soon, and Trump wants to tell Americans the US won the war, but talks are difficult because Iran has a lot of power by keeping the waterway closed.
US President Donald Trump has reportedly told senior aides he could declare the conflict with Iran a success if Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, even without a nuclear deal.
Iran demanded an end to the war, withdrawal of US forces, lifting of the naval blockade and sanctions, release of frozen assets, and war reparations as conditions for reopening the waterway.
Trump said he was prepared to launch the biggest military attack since World War II but was persuaded by US allies not to proceed.
With midterm elections less than three months away and gasoline prices above pre-war levels, Trump shared an article titled 'Donald Trump Won the Iran War' on Friday.
Vice President JD Vance said the US is 'in the middle of the game' and will keep pressuring Iran, while US officials said a deal may require releasing at least some Iranian assets.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr
- What
- Trump is reportedly open to ending the conflict with Iran without a nuclear agreement if Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has set sweeping conditions for reopening the waterway
- When
- Reported August 9, 2026; the conflict began in February and midterm elections are less than three months away
- Where
- Washington D.C., the Strait of Hormuz, and the broader Middle East region
- Why
- Trump seeks a face-saving exit from the conflict before the midterm elections amid high gasoline prices and economic pressure
Comprehensive Settlement
Face-Saving Exit
Scope of a deal
Comprehensive Settlement
The conflict should only end with a formal agreement restricting Iran's nuclear programme and addressing Iran's full list of conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Face-Saving Exit
Restoring free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran's nuclear threat contained, is enough for Trump to declare the conflict a success without a nuclear deal.
Financial concessions to Iran
Comprehensive Settlement
US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal say an agreement may be difficult without releasing at least some frozen Iranian assets, potentially with conditions.
Face-Saving Exit
Trump has rejected the idea of US taxpayer money being given to Iran and opposes paying war reparations.
Declaring victory vs. continuing pressure
Comprehensive Settlement
The US remains 'in the middle of the game' and should keep pressuring Iran to make long-term changes in its relationship with Washington, per Vice President JD Vance.
Face-Saving Exit
The war should be presented as already won to the American public before the midterm elections, as Trump suggested by sharing 'Donald Trump Won the Iran War'.
- Status of negotiations
- Trump reportedly open to exiting conflict without a nuclear deal if Strait of Hormuz reopens
- Iran's reopening demands
- Permanently end war, lift naval blockade, withdraw US forces, remove sanctions, release frozen assets, pay war reparations
- Strait of Hormuz status
- Closed by Iran since conflict began in February; missile and drone attacks disrupting traffic and rattling oil markets
- Midterm elections
- Less than three months away; gasoline prices significantly higher than before the war began
- Iranian nuclear facilities
- Three major facilities destroyed by the US in May 2025
- Key US officials
- President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance
- Iran's negotiator
- Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr
- Source
- The Wall Street Journal report, August 2026
