President Donald Trump stated on July 31, 2026, that Americans should be prepared for continued fighting with Iran, suggesting that Tehran would eventually weaken as U.S. military actions persist. During a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump acknowledged that the conflict could extend, despite previous claims of significant damage to Iran’s military capabilities. He remarked, "They’ll get weaker. They’ll get a little stronger, maybe. But they’ll get weaker, and then they peter out."
Trump expressed concerns about the possibility of reaching a deal with Iran, accusing Tehran of dishonesty in negotiations. He stated, "They do lie, and they do misrepresent," indicating a loss of faith in the negotiation process. The comments follow a series of U.S. strikes against Iranian military targets in response to missile attacks on American forces.
The renewed fighting complicates previous assertions by the administration that U.S. forces had effectively diminished Iran’s military power. The conflict has escalated following the collapse of a June agreement aimed at ceasing hostilities and restoring commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Efforts by Oman, Qatar, Pakistan, and Egypt to revive this agreement have stalled due to disagreements over control of the waterway, sanctions relief, and Iran’s nuclear program.