The Pentagon is quietly extending troop deployments six months after the U.S. launched its campaign against Iran, despite Pete Hegseth’s promise of a quick, decisive operation that would avoid prolonged entanglement. The extensions indicate the conflict could continue into 2027 as the military pursues an open-ended strategy designed to give President Trump options. The approach is placing significant strain on servicemembers and their families while creating a maintenance backlog that could take years to resolve. The developments come as Trump sends mixed signals about the next phase of the war. The item is part of The 10-Point newsletter, The Wall Street Journal’s guide to its coverage, which also offers subscription, online and audio options.