Trump claims 'very big victory' in Iran war as stalemate persists, sanctions tighten

Six months into a war that shows no signs of ending, President Trump declared victory this week while acknowledging there is no timeline for peace talks. Speaking to Al Jazeera on Wednesday, he said the United States is "achieving a very big victory," but that the conflict "will continue for as long as necessary." The claim of progress sits uneasily against the reality on the ground: a military stalemate, blocked shipping lanes, and diplomatic efforts that remain frozen despite tentative negotiations between Iran and Oman over reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The war began on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran. Since then, Iran has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical shipping passages, attacking vessels that attempt transit without its permission and demanding tolls for passage. This week, a tanker was struck by what British maritime authorities called an "unknown projectile" near the Omani coastal city of Khasab, causing a fire that was later extinguished. No crew members were killed, but the incident underscores the danger that persists in waters Trump insists are "functioning." In an interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck, Trump acknowledged that "every once in a while there will be a drone or a rocket" fired, but maintained that "a lot of oil is pouring out." Maritime analysts dispute this characterization, noting that very little commercial traffic has actually moved through the strait since hostilities resumed in early July after a brief ceasefire.

Negotiations between Iran and Oman have inched forward. The two nations, which share coastline on the Strait of Hormuz, said Tuesday they were discussing a proposal for a temporary shipping corridor and a plan to clear sea mines. Oman's foreign minister expressed hope that an announcement would come "soon." But Iran's conditions for reopening the waterway remain firm: the United States must lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports and vessels, and the war itself must end. An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman said Wednesday that an agreement with Oman had been reached weeks ago on how the two countries would share control of shipping traffic and revenues, but that the U.S. had failed to accept the arrangement. "If the United States stops obstructing and returns to the memorandum of understanding, we can open the Strait of Hormuz," Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said. "Until they are, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed."

Trump's administration has shifted strategy, turning to economic pressure as the military campaign stalls. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a new round of sanctions aimed at what he called the "economic asphyxiation" of Iran, with the objective to "sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime." The measures prompted long lines at gas stations in Tehran on Tuesday as residents feared shortages. A 55-year-old realtor told news agencies that sanctions affect people's lives, though he noted that Iranians have endured such measures for 47 years and remain resilient. An English teacher said she feared the war would become primarily economic, causing widespread pressure and potentially sparking protests.

But the sanctions face resistance from major trading partners. China, Iran's largest trade partner, rejected the measures almost immediately. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Tuesday that China "firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions" and warned that "economic warfare and extreme pressure do not help solve problems." He added that China would "take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests." Iran's Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf thanked China for its stance, writing that the Iran-China partnership is "rooted in mutual respect, win-win cooperation, and a shared vision for a multipolar world." Russia, too, is deepening ties with Iran. Iranian and Russian officials met in St. Petersburg on Wednesday to discuss advancing cooperation in the gas sector, including implementation of an agreement to transfer Russian natural gas to Iran via an overland route through Azerbaijan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear he sees no path forward through diplomacy. At an event Tuesday, he recounted telling Trump that a deal with Iran's leadership is impossible. "I doubt that an agreement can be reached with that group there, with those savages," Netanyahu said. "An agreement cannot be reached." Trump echoed this skepticism, claiming without evidence that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei was "very seriously wounded" and suggesting he may be dead, though Trump said he doesn't "think" he is.

The human toll of the extended deployment has become visible. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which supported the U.S. war effort, spent more than 250 consecutive days at sea—a record for the ship. The crew experienced deteriorating mental health and shortages of supplies including food and hygiene products. The ship will stop in Thailand next week for rest and recovery before returning to San Diego. Admiral Daryl Caudle, the Navy's top uniformed officer, acknowledged that the military had to develop new processes for replenishing supplies at sea, noting that items like hygiene products, energy drinks, and soda require different supply chains than food and parts.

The war has disrupted commerce and travel across the region. Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest transport hubs, reported a 31.3 percent drop in passenger traffic in the second quarter compared to the first half of 2025, falling from 31.5 million to 13 million passengers. The airport suffered minor damage in Iranian attacks. The UAE last week cut off all trade ties with Iran, severing a crucial lifeline that has allowed Tehran to access foreign currency for decades. Yet Iran's leaders continue to project resilience. The country's army claimed Wednesday that all weapons systems damaged in the war have been rebuilt and that new systems have been imported, though the spokesman did not name any countries providing military hardware. Iran's president said Tuesday that while his country faces "economic pressure," it would continue pursuing dialogue while relying on government measures to withstand sanctions, insisting that Washington's attempts at pressure would fail.