Khaberni - Reuters has disclosed an internal struggle within the White House that influences the public messages issued by US President Donald Trump on the course of the war with Iran, amidst heated discussions among his aides about the timing and manner of declaring "victory" despite the widening scope of conflict in the Middle East.
The agency quoted a presidential adviser and others familiar with the discussions as saying that some officials warn of the economic repercussions of the war, especially rising fuel prices, while a hawkish wing inside the administration is pressing Trump to continue military operations against Tehran.
Reuters also reported based on an informed source that President Trump emphasized in closed discussions his reluctance to withdraw early, stressing the necessity to "complete the mission," and added that some of his aides advised him to end the conflict in a way that could be portrayed as a victory, even if most of the leaders in Iran survived.
Trump launched military operations on February 28, committing to wide-reaching goals, before recently lowering those goals and describing the conflict as a limited campaign that achieves most of its objectives.
Economic and Political Concerns
Informed sources indicate that economic advisors in the administration, including officials from the Treasury Department and the National Economic Council, warned that rising oil and gasoline prices due to the war might lead to declining domestic support for it within the United States.
Political advisors in the White House—including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and her deputy James Blair—expressed similar concerns regarding the political repercussions of rising fuel prices, calling for a narrower definition of "victory" and emphasizing that the military operation is limited and nearing its end.
In contrast, prominent Republican figures are pressing for continued military escalation against Iran, among them Senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton, along with media commentator Mark Levin.
These figures believe that Washington should continue military pressure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and respond forcefully to any attacks targeting American forces or interests in the region.
White House Response
In response to the Reuters report, White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt denied the accuracy of the information, describing it as "rumors and speculation from anonymous sources who were not present in any discussions with President Trump."
In a statement, she affirmed that Trump listens to multiple opinions before making a decision, but emphasized that "the President is the final decision-maker," adding that his team is "fully focused on achieving the objectives of Operation Wrath of Fury."
