Washington – In a significant political and military shift, the White House has officially notified the US Congress that direct military operations against Iran have “concluded.” This formal notification confirms the Trump administration’s commitment to the ceasefire in place since April 7th. Obviously, Washington aims to close the chapter on the “full-scale confrontation” that erupted in February and transition into a new phase of “quiet deterrence,” with US troops remaining deployed across the region to monitor any suspicious movements in May 2026.
“Truce Under Watch”: Why End the Operations Now?
The Trump administration confirmed in its letters to congressional leaders that the operations launched in late February achieved their immediate objectives, allowing for the current de-escalation. Accordingly, lawmakers were informed that the US military has halted its systematic airstrikes in line with the cooling-off period that began in early April. Clearly, this move is intended to ease domestic political pressure on the administration and provide an opening for the diplomatic initiatives and telephone contacts Trump recently revealed to reach a potential “deal.”
“The Threat is Not Over”: Trump’s Warning Behind the Termination Order
Despite declaring the end of operations, Trump was careful to send a “stern” message. He asserted in his address to Congress that the threat Iran poses to US interests and forces in the region remains active. As a result, the President emphasized that the US military retains the right to “act immediately” in accordance with security responsibilities if forces face any danger. Amidst this “cautious calm,” observers believe Washington is following a “hand-on-the-trigger” strategy: while formally ending operations, it keeps all options on the table should negotiation channels fail.
