US President Donald Trump's senior advisers do not rule out that the conflict with Iran could drag on until the end of his term, US officials said, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports.

According to sources, during meetings in the Oval Office and the Situation Room, US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and several other top members of the Trump administration emphasized that Tehran could continue to resist pressure from Washington, including sanctions and other restrictions.

The WSJ notes that in such a development of events, the conflict could continue even after the inauguration of the new US president in January 2029. These predictions contradict Trump's public statements about reaching a quick ceasefire.

A years-long conflict could drain US military resources and cause shocks in the global oil market right in the heat of the 2028 US presidential election campaign, the WSJ adds.