Trump has set deadlines for an end to his war with Iran before. Since launching it in February, he has variously said that it would last a “few weeks,” that it was already “over,” and that it could last “forever.”

Vance and Rubio are widely seen as the most likely candidates to replace Trump at the top of the Republican ticket in two years’ time, though neither has publicly confirmed they will run. Neither will want a costly and unpopular war on their plate while trying to win over voters.

Pete Hegseth, 46, seems to share their assessment. The Defense Secretary has quietly ordered more troops into the Middle East over the past several weeks and told other military forces, including air-defense units, to prepare to stay in the region until 2027 and beyond.