Trump Administration Indicates No Timeline for Iran War Resolution as Ceasefire Holds

By Jamie McIntyre

*Washington Examiner*

*April 23, 2026*

The Iran war, which began on February 28, 2026, with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and government sites, has entered its eighth week. Initial predictions from President Donald Trump suggested the conflict could last two to six weeks, though he has since described varying timelines. The war has resulted in at least 3,000 deaths, according to reports from multiple sources tracking casualties.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that media coverage has exaggerated concerns about the conflict's progress. "The American media is sort of blowing this out of proportion to discredit the president," Leavitt said.

A ceasefire took effect on April 8, 2026, but both sides have been accused of violations in the following weeks. Israel conducted strikes on April 8-10, while Iran and its allies carried out actions from April 8-19, according to assessments from U.S. and international observers.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that both nations seek an end to the war but face significant differences. "Both Iran and the United States want to end the war, but a significant gap remains," Araghchi wrote. "Actually Trump is seeking a decisive victory, while Iran refuses to surrender and at the same time, Tehran seeking firm guarantees that any end to this conflict will be last and ultimately that will not lead to no future escalation."

In a phone interview with Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum, Trump said he faces "no time pressure" for new talks and "no timeline" for ending the war. He denied reports that the ceasefire was limited to a three-to-five-day window.

Approximately 90 minutes later, Leavitt appeared on Fox News and addressed Iran's seizure of two ships in the Persian Gulf. "These were not U.S. ships. These were not Israeli ships. These were two international vessels," she said.

Leavitt described the conflict as having shifted to an economic phase, which she called "Operation Economic Fury." "While there’s a ceasefire with respect to the military and kinetic strikes, ‘Operation Economic Fury’ continues," she said. "We are choking their economy."

She claimed Iran is losing $500 million daily—an unverified figure cited by the administration—and that Kharg Island's oil storage is full due to transportation restrictions. "They can’t pay their own people. They’re losing $500 million every single day. Kharg Island is completely full of oil because they can’t transport it to and from," Leavitt said. "So, the president, the cards are in his hands. The United States maintains control over the situation."

Leavitt disputed Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz. "They don’t have control over the strait," she said. "These two ships were taken by speedy gunboats."

On CNN, retired Adm. William McRaven, former U.S. Special Operations commander, discussed Iran's fast-attack boats, sometimes referred to as a "mosquito fleet." "This is a leverage point the Iranians have," McRaven said. "Make no mistake about it, they still can control the Straits of Hormuz. These fast-attack boats they have—whether they’re the Boston Whalers or whether they’re the cigarette boats—they have the ability to control the Straits, and they have the ability to put our vessels at risk, with drones, with short-range ballistic missiles."

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a think tank known for its interventionist perspectives, assessed that Maj. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), appears to hold significant influence in the Persian Gulf region. "The IRGC has also used its ‘control’ over the strait as a means for Vahidi to flex his own power over internal rivals, such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf," ISW stated. "Vahidi and his inner circle recently used the IRGC’s leverage … to exercise influence over Iran’s negotiating position."

ISW further reported that the IRGC demanded the U.S. lift its blockade and halted strait traffic on April 18 by attacking vessels, aiming to raise shipping costs and secure concessions, including an end to the blockade.

Leavitt reiterated on Fox that "the United States maintains control over the situation" and that Trump holds leverage. "That’s why he’s maintained a little bit of flexibility with the extension of the ceasefire, as we await a unified response from the Iranians to the president’s very clear proposal."

Ukraine Secures EU Funding Amid Efforts to Bolster Defenses

The European Union has approved a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine after Hungary lifted its opposition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X: "Implementation of our agreement with the European Union to unblock a €90 billion support package for Ukraine over two years is now effectively underway, as well as a new sanctions package against Russia. Russia must end its war. And the incentives for that can arise only when both support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia are sufficient."

In a CNN interview with Christiane Amanpour, Zelensky emphasized the urgency. "God bless, we will have it. …This is not only strengthening our armies, also how to defend all the energy objects we need to prepare for the next winter," he said. Zelensky noted increased production of interceptor drones but insufficient funding. "We are producing about, around a little bit less than 1,000 of drones and interceptors. But we can produce 2,000 … So, it’s really the question of our life, of the surviving, of defending."

Navy Secretary John Phelan Removed from Position

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the immediate departure of Navy Secretary John C. Phelan. "Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately," Parnell posted on X. "On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy. We wish him well in his future endeavors."

Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicated tensions between Phelan, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg over the Navy's shipbuilding pace, including Trump's "Golden Fleet" initiative. Pentagon officials told congressional aides the decision was made by Hegseth and Feinberg, citing insufficient progress on priorities.

The New York Times reported ongoing tensions over management style, personnel, and other issues. Phelan, who lacked prior military experience, will be replaced on an acting basis by Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao. Cao, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who immigrated from Vietnam in 1975 after the fall of Saigon, previously served as a vice president at CACI International.

The Navy secretary oversees civilian aspects of training and equipping the force but holds no operational command, so the change will not impact current Persian Gulf operations.

The Rundown

• Washington Examiner: Eyes on Iran’s leadership dynamics as negotiations stall
• Washington Examiner: Ukraine reopens Russian oil pipeline as Hungary withdraws veto on $105 billion loan for Kyiv
• Washington Examiner: Ukraine pitches ‘Donnyland’ name to Donbas in plea to boost Trump support
• Washington Examiner: John Phelan out as Navy secretary effective immediately
• Washington Examiner: Sheinbaum threatens sanctions against Chihuahua state over dead American officials
• Washington Examiner: Appeals court blocks California law barring immigration officers from wearing masks
• Washington Examiner: DC pipe bomb suspect pleads not guilty to terrorism and WMD charges
• Washington Examiner: House Democrats demand answers about Kash Patel’s behavior with alcohol abuse survey
• AP: More confusion looms over Strait of Hormuz after Iran attacks three ships near waterway
• New York Times: A New Era and New Leadership: The Generals Who Are Running Iran
• Washington Post: Clearing mines from Strait of Hormuz could take 6 months, Pentagon tells Congress
• Reuters: Trump says eight Iranian women won’t be executed, Iran disputes entire account
• Wall Street Journal: Air War in Iran Gives Way to Crippling Stalemate in Hormuz
• Wall Street Journal: How U.S. Ship Boardings Have Kicked Off a New Phase of the Iran War
• AP: A look at China’s behind-the-scenes role in Iran war diplomacy
• Defense News: Germany Unveils Strategy for Becoming Europe’s Strongest Military by 2039
• AP: Senate passes budget plan for ICE and Border Patrol in bid to reopen Homeland Security
• New York Times: Trump’s Nominee to Lead Cyber Agency Withdraws After Languishing in Senate
• Breaking Defense: FY27 Budget Request Negates Need for INDOPACOM Spending Wishlist: Commander
• Air & Space Forces Magazine: Pentagon Zeroes Out E-7 in Budget, Leaving Its Future Uncertain
• Air & Space Forces Magazine: Pass-Through and Classified Spending: What’s Hidden in the ’27 Budget
• DefenseScoop: SOUTHCOM Creates New Autonomous Warfare Command to Build Up Its Drone Prowess
• Task & Purpose: Air Force Wants to Use Lasers to Help Protect Rescue Helicopters After Iran Mission
• Air & Space Forces Magazine: White House Picks Raytheon Exec to Lead Space Force Acquisition
• The War Zone: New Low-Cost Cruise Missile Features Tomahawk-Like Range
• Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Sets Up Office to Coordinate Cislunar Programs
• Air & Space Forces Magazine: Northrop Delivers New Jam-Resistant Navigation System for F-22
• Military.com: Troops, Families Need to Plan for Higher Prices When PCSing in 2026

The Calendar

THURSDAY | APRIL 23

• 9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: “The posture of the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY2027 and the Future Years Defense Program,” with testimony from Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, U.S. Central Command; and Air Force Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander, U.S. Africa Command http://www.armed-services.senate.gov
• 9:30 a.m. — Defense Security Cooperation Agency and Defense Security Cooperation University “Defense Security Cooperation Agency Industry Day” https://dscuevaluations.gov1.qualtrics.com
• 10 a.m. — Center for a New American Security launches a new report: “Hit It With Your Best Shot: An American Doctrine of Economic Pressure,” with author Emily Kilcrease, senior fellow and CNAS program director; Eva Dou, author of House of Huawei; Richard Nephew, senior research scholar at Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy; and Air Force Lt. Col. Mary Hossier, CNAS senior military fellow https://events.cnas.org/hititwithyourbestshotvirtual
• 10 a.m. — Forecast International virtual discussion: “AI on the Battlefield: From Data to D

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