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Tehran is well aware of Washington's diminishing options and patience as the conflict drags on, and Iranian leaders are increasingly sensing that U.S. President Donald Trump wants a way out, analysts say, according to a CNN report Monday.
CNN political and national security analyst David Sanger said that as the war enters its sixth month, Trump is looking for any way to open the Strait of Hormuz, "declare that he's won his victory and leave."
"I think the Iranians certainly sense that President Trump wants a way out of this conflict. That the U.S. is running out of munitions, it's running out of options, and fundamentally, it's running out of patience," Sanger told CNN's Kristie Lu Stout on Monday.
"The war does not poll very well, even among Republicans," he added.
Over the past few weeks, Trump's top general has privately made clear to other Trump advisers that the United States needs to find an off-ramp from the war with Iran, CNN reported.
U.S. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said Sunday that Trump has "lost this war" with Iran, arguing that continued fighting is weakening the United States while strengthening Tehran.
"America is weaker. Iran is stronger," Murphy told NBC, saying he would support even a "bad deal" to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
He said the cost of reopening the strategic waterway was rising as negotiations remained stalled.
Iranian officials have demanded reparations, the lifting of sanctions, and a halt to U.S. military operations, according to The Washington Times.
"The war needs to end because every day that the war continues, America gets weaker, Iran gets stronger, and people here in the United States get screwed as prices go up and up and up," Murphy said.
Murphy said he would oppose funding to continue the war but would support replenishing U.S. munitions after the conflict ends.
Trump on Sunday signaled that he is prepared to rely on mounting economic pressure on Iran rather than immediately launching a new military offensive, according to an Axios interview.
"We are low-keying it," Trump told Axios.
Trump said Washington is "only semi-negotiating" with Tehran while closely monitoring Iran's deteriorating economy.
"We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money," he said.
Trump argued that Iran is in "very bad shape" financially and is struggling to pay its troops.
He said a U.S. naval blockade has intensified pressure on the Iranian government and contributed to its economic crisis.
According to Trump, the economic impact of the conflict on Americans has eased as oil prices have fallen to slightly above $75 a barrel.
"It will work out. It always works out. It's like a chess game," Trump said of the confrontation with Tehran.
Iran has been engaged in a conflict with the United States since February, when the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Tehran.
Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Gulf countries hosting U.S. assets.
The United States and Iran agreed to a cease-fire in April and later signed a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending their military conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement.
The deal, however, collapsed last month, with the two sides exchanging attacks for nearly two weeks before Trump abruptly halted the bombardment amid reports of talks to resolve the conflict.
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