1 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Aug 9, 2026 10:52 PM ISTUS President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. (AI generated video)US President Donald Trump has been reflecting on the possibility of declaring victory against Iran without achieving a deal over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, but added that the objective became more difficult after Tehran made new demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.The WSJ report, citing US officials, stated that the White House is considering fine-tuning its objective from forcing a nuclear deal with Iran to restoring commercial shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. It added that the US President privately discussed the idea of ending the conflict with Tehran with senior aides in the administration.The officials told the news outlet that if the United States can keep Iran’s nuclear programme under surveillance and traffic resumes in the strategic waterway, then Trump would likely extend the ceasefire in the region “indefinitely.” © IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdThe Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...AdvertisementLive BlogWorld latest updates: Talks with US won’t happen while interim deal is breached, Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi says1 hour agoIndia news Highlights, 9 August 2026: All 3 JPSC members quit amid students protest in Jharkhand2 hours agoIndia news Highlights, 8 August 2026: Rahul Gandhi addresses ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ meeting in Prayagraj1 day agoUPTET Result 2026 Live Updates: Result likely by next week, what we know so far1 day agoIndia news Highlights, 6 August 2026: Nadda assures full central support after visiting flood-hit Arunachal3 days ago