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President Donald Trump has told aides he does not plan to resume full-scale military operations against Iran unless American troops are killed, according to a Wednesday report from The Wall Street Journal.
The report said that the president is continuing to pursue a broader diplomatic agreement with Iran’s government despite ongoing issues with the current ceasefire.
President Trump has publicly expressed optimism that a deal could soon be reached, though Iranian officials have offered a far more cautious assessment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said this week there has been “no tangible progress” toward a final agreement and warned that major disagreements remain unresolved.
“There has been progress, but no agreement has been reached,” Araghchi shared.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued during congressional testimony that the broader military conflict has effectively ended.
“The war is over,” Rubio said. “We are not at war with Iran.”
“We’re not looking to restart a war,” he added. “We’re looking to prevent one.”
According to the Journal, President Trump has resisted pressure from some advisers to escalate militarily following recent Iranian attacks. Instead, the president reportedly views the ceasefire as the best path toward preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon while avoiding a prolonged regional war.
The administration is also focused on preserving access through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route disrupted during the conflict.
Rubio told lawmakers that Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly weakened during the fighting, citing damage to missile launch sites, air-defense systems and naval assets.
Despite the administration’s optimistic public tone, the ceasefire remains fragile. Sporadic attacks continue to complicate negotiations, while both sides remain divided over Iran’s nuclear program and any long-term agreement.
According to the report, President Trump has made clear to advisers that the deaths of American service members would cross a red line and likely trigger a much stronger U.S. military response. Until then, the administration intends to continue pursuing diplomacy.