After two intense weeks of military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, U.S. President Donald J. Trump appears increasingly ready to declare victory. However, analysts and officials warn that despite the heavy damage inflicted on Iranian military capabilities, Tehran still possesses significant tools that could influence how the conflict ends.
The rapid campaign has dealt major blows to Iran’s military infrastructure. According to defense assessments cited by Western officials, a large portion of Iran’s naval assets in the Persian Gulf has been destroyed or disabled. Airstrikes and missile attacks have also targeted key military installations, weapons depots, and missile launch facilities across the country.
U.S. and Israeli forces have reportedly struck multiple sites connected to Iran’s missile and naval operations. The offensive was coordinated through the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) alongside the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which have carried out extensive air and naval operations aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten regional shipping lanes and allied forces.
Iranian forces weakened but not eliminated
Military officials say the campaign significantly degraded Iran’s ability to launch large-scale missile barrages and naval attacks. Several senior Iranian military figures have also reportedly been killed during the strikes, further complicating Tehran’s command structure.
Despite these setbacks, analysts caution that Iran retains several strategic options that could still influence the trajectory of the conflict.
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One of the most critical factors is Iran’s ability to disrupt global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments pass. Even limited disruption in the strait could send global energy markets into turmoil and dramatically escalate the geopolitical stakes.
Iran has previously threatened to block or disrupt traffic in the Strait of Hormuz during periods of heightened tension with Washington. Although its naval capabilities have been weakened in the latest conflict, experts say Iran could still use mines, drones, or smaller vessels to harass shipping routes.
Nuclear concerns remain central
Another major concern for Western policymakers is Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. While military operations have targeted various nuclear-related facilities, Iran is believed to retain significant quantities of enriched material.
The country’s nuclear program has long been monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has repeatedly warned that Iran possesses enough enriched uranium to potentially move closer to nuclear weapons capability if it chose to do so.
Even if Iran’s conventional military forces have been weakened, the existence of its uranium reserves adds a complex layer to the conflict’s endgame. Western officials fear that Tehran could leverage its nuclear program as a bargaining chip in any future negotiations.
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Trump highlights military strength
Speaking during recent public remarks, President Trump praised the performance of the U.S. military and suggested that the campaign had achieved many of its primary objectives.
“Our military is unsurpassed,” Trump said, emphasizing the capabilities of American forces and the success of the operations carried out during the conflict.
He also highlighted efforts made during his earlier administration to strengthen the U.S. armed forces, arguing that those investments played a key role in enabling the current military campaign.
The White House has not yet formally declared the end of hostilities, but officials indicate that discussions are underway about the next phase of strategy in the region.
A fragile path to ending the conflict
Even if the United States and its allies believe they have achieved major military successes, the question of how the conflict ends remains uncertain. Iran’s leadership has historically shown a willingness to absorb significant losses while continuing to pursue long-term strategic goals.
Regional analysts warn that Tehran may shift toward asymmetric tactics, including cyber operations, proxy attacks, or maritime disruptions, rather than direct large-scale military confrontation.
Such actions could prolong instability in the region and make it difficult for Washington to claim a decisive conclusion to the conflict.
For now, the battlefield momentum appears to favor the United States and its allies. Yet Iran’s remaining capabilities — particularly its influence over regional militias, its strategic location near global oil chokepoints, and its nuclear program — mean the final outcome of the confrontation is far from certain.
As President Trump considers declaring victory, the broader geopolitical landscape suggests that the struggle between Washington and Tehran may be entering a new and potentially unpredictable phase.