The US and Iran are engaged in two wars, with President Donald Trump's top aides creating a victory narrative for him to try to extricate himself from the conflict. The White House is suggesting that he will personally certify an unconditional surrender by Iran, even if it is not true. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that only Trump can determine if the war is at "the beginning, the middle or the end." This strategy aligns with Iran's core goal of outlasting Americans' tolerance for a new foreign war. The conflict undermines Trump's campaign promise to start no new wars. Potential paths to halting US military operations may still be a way off, but there is increasing urgency to identify them as an oil crisis ignited by the war threatens global economic disaster.