Iran has indicated that it may be prepared to sustain its confrontation with the United States for a prolonged period, potentially extending until President Donald Trump leaves office, as Tehran considers its response to the continuing tensions between both countries.

According to a report by The Independent published on Thursday, August 13, 2026, Mohammad Reza Naghdi, a senior adviser to the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, suggested that maintaining the conflict could form part of a wider effort to rebuild deterrence and discourage future attacks against Iran.

Speaking to PBS NewsHour, Naghdi said Iran needed to demonstrate that military action against the country would have consequences.

“We have to attain deterrence so that the enemy never dares to attack us, so we can live with security,” he said.

His remarks indicate that Tehran may not be in a hurry to reach an agreement with Washington and could instead prepare for a prolonged confrontation. Iranian officials have increasingly emphasised the importance of strengthening the country’s deterrence following the latest escalation.

The dispute has also extended to the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which a significant amount of global energy supplies passes.

Iran has rejected President Trump’s claim that the United States has secured complete control of the strait. Tehran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority maintains that the waterway remains closed and insists it will not be reopened until Iran’s demands are addressed.

The status of the Strait of Hormuz has become a major issue in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the waterway could have wider consequences for international trade and energy markets.

Iran’s latest position therefore suggests that the government is preparing for the possibility of an extended standoff rather than an immediate diplomatic settlement.

The comments from Naghdi come as tensions remain high between the two countries, with Tehran seeking to demonstrate that future attacks against its territory would carry significant consequences.

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