US President Donald Trump is weighing three possible paths for dealing with Iran as Washington considers what comes next after nearly two weeks of intense US bombing.

The options include military escalation, increased economic pressure on Iran, or declaring victory and withdrawing the United States from the region, The Caspian Post reports via The New York Times.

The three scenarios have reportedly been discussed in recent weeks during meetings involving Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. However, each option appears problematic for different reasons.

On July 24, Trump announced a pause in the nearly two-week US bombing campaign against Iran, despite earlier indications that Washington could return to full-scale military operations in the region.

Trump’s advisers had begun questioning whether a massive bombing campaign would actually bring Tehran back to the negotiating table.

The president was also warned that attacks on such a scale could result in heavy civilian casualties and widespread hunger in Iran, potentially undermining Trump’s stated intention of protecting the Iranian people from their government.

There is also another challenge: depleting stocks of interceptor missiles, which could limit Washington’s ability to sustain a prolonged military campaign. Recent reporting has likewise highlighted concerns over strained US munitions supplies.

A second option under consideration is to allow US sanctions and economic restrictions to take effect, with the Trump administration hoping that pressure on Iran’s oil exports and related restrictions could produce the desired outcome.

The strategy would seek to increase pressure on Tehran without immediately returning to a large-scale bombing campaign.

The third scenario reportedly being discussed is for Trump to declare victory and withdraw the United States from the region.

The choice comes as Washington and Tehran have temporarily halted attacks, while diplomatic efforts continue. The pause has created an opening for negotiations, although it remains uncertain whether the lull will lead to a lasting settlement.

The situation leaves Trump facing a difficult strategic choice: escalate militarily, intensify economic pressure, or seek an exit while claiming victory.