U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly having private discussions with senior aides about whether he should end his war with Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal. This development has drawn comparisons to a suggestion made by Vermont Senator George Aiken during the Vietnam War, though the details differ. Trump could claim that he has "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, referencing a "Midnight Hammer" bombing raid in June 2025. However, this claim has been true since before the war began, and Iran still maintains the ability to disrupt traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments, and to damage U.S. military bases. The U.S. military has struck more than 15,000 targets in Iran, but has not achieved any clear strategic objectives, and the conflict continues. The attacks have, however, elevated Iran's hard-line military leadership, which now holds significant control over the country. The campaign has also drained a major portion of the U.S. military's essential weapons, including more than half of its cruise missiles and advanced air-defense systems. The USS Abraham Lincoln, one of two aircraft carriers deployed for the war, was replaced by the USS George Washington after Iranian missiles damaged a U.S. Navy supply hub in Bahrain, leaving sailors without food and necessary supplies. The effectiveness of the U.S. military in this conflict has been questioned, with some analysts suggesting the war has weakened the United States' global standing. Economic pressure on Iran has its limits, especially as long as China continues to support Iran, aligning with China's interest in keeping the U.S. preoccupied in the Middle East. Trump and his advisors are reportedly searching for new strategies to pressure Iran, with a senior intelligence officer in U.S. Central Command recently seeking "new creative and unconventional ways" to impose consequences on Iran. Trump's threats against Iran have not been followed through, leading to a loss of credibility in U.S. foreign policy. Allies are reportedly looking to other countries for security and supply chains, fearing that U.S. adversaries may take advantage of this moment of vulnerability. Some suggest that Trump should end the war, allow Iran and Oman to negotiate an agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz, and return the USS George Washington to the Pacific. Trump could also consider firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and reaching out to allies to reassure them. However, these suggestions are viewed as unrealistic, highlighting how far Trump's actions have strayed from traditional presidential conduct.