Wall Street Journal: White House advisers secretly warn Trump that the conflict with Iran will continue until 2029
Quick Look
- The Wall Street Journal quoted US officials as saying that senior White House advisers, including Vice President J.D.
- Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, privately warned President Donald Trump that the conflict with Iran could continue until his presidential term ends in January 2029, contradicting his public statements about the war ending after the midterm elections in November 2024.
- Rubio also warned that Mexico's campaign against drug cartels is insufficient, and stressed the need to strengthen security cooperation with Ecuador in the fight against drug trafficking.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The report comes in light of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, and Washington's efforts to strengthen its influence in Latin America through security alliances such as the 'Shield of the Americas' to combat drug trafficking, with a special focus on countries such as Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia and Peru.
The Wall Street Journal quoted American officials as saying that senior White House advisers, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, secretly warned President Donald Trump that the conflict with Iran may continue until the end of his presidential term.
The newspaper added that the advisors informed Trump, during closed discussions in the Oval Office and the Situation Room, that Tehran may continue to resist American pressure, which may lead to prolonging the conflict beyond Inauguration Day in January 2029.
The warnings contained in the newspaper’s report contradict Trump’s public statements regarding the war. The president said yesterday, Wednesday, that he expects the war to end “immediately after” the US midterm elections in November, considering that Iran is trying to influence the vote, but it will not be able to continue its resistance for a longer period.
Trump indicated that diplomatic talks remain a possible option, but they are not the preferred option.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is on a visit to Ecuador, said that Mexico's campaign against drug cartels is "completely insufficient," warning that the gangs threatening the country will have to be confronted "one way or another."
He stated, "There is vast territory in Mexico that is not subject to state control," praising Mexican efforts to confront drug gangs, but stressing the need to make more efforts.
Rubio arrived in Ecuador on Wednesday to advance the campaign against drug gangs that has turned the country into one of Latin America's most violent countries.
Ecuador is the second stop on Rubio's Latin American tour that includes three countries and aims to support pro-American conservative leaders in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and to consolidate Washington's influence on the continent.
During his visit, he will discuss strengthening cooperation in extraditing criminals related to drug smugglers, while he is expected to push for military operations against suspected drug smugglers, and encourage investments in politically influential American technology companies such as Google, Palantir, and SpaceX.
On the eve of his visit, Rubio described Ecuador as “one of our closest security partners in the region,” indicating the possibility of closer cooperation with Quito.
A year ago, the US government launched a military air campaign targeting boats it said were smuggling drugs in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing more than 200 people so far.
In March, Ecuador joined the “Shield of the Americas,” a Washington-led coalition to combat drug trafficking in the region.
Finally, US-Ecuadorian patrols sank at least six fishing boats on charges of involvement in drug trafficking, although most of them carried only fuel, and some crew members were released without charges.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The conflict with Iran will continue until at least January 2029
Likely · Within years
The United States will increase military pressure on drug traffickers in Ecuador
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific evidence did White House advisers rely on in their warning that the conflict with Iran would continue into 2029?
- What specific military plans is the United States considering against drug traffickers in Ecuador?
- How will Trump's conflicting statements affect the stability of his foreign policy toward Iran?
