President Donald Trump has privately discussed with senior aides whether to declare the war with Iran over, while the US maintains about 50,000 troops, 19 warships, air-defense units and fighter squadrons across the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal reported the discussions on September 3, saying advisers are concerned that a wider conflict could become a political liability for Republicans before the November midterm elections. Trump says he is not considering the election in his war decisions. Washington has recently favored economic pressure over military action to push Tehran back to negotiations, with Trump believing sustained pressure could force Iran to abandon its nuclear program or collapse. However, Iran has not backed down, attacks over control of the Strait of Hormuz (key oil-shipping waterway) continue, and talks have not resumed since a temporary peace agreement reached in June fell apart. US forces are intercepting Iranian missiles, protecting commercial shipping and blockading Iranian ports and coastal areas while retaining the ability to launch a large-scale attack. Trump was briefed last month on expanded airstrikes, ground-force deployments to Iranian islands near the strait and a plan involving the so-called Pickaxe Mountain facility. On September 2, he said further strikes could be authorized and that the military was ready to attack again whenever the US wanted.