Trump officials privately fear Iran war will grind on through September as 200 troops injured | 16 March 2026 | Donald Trump has given another timing update on the U.S.-Iran war, as oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has come to a standstill, though some are warning the war could last most of the year. The average gas price for a gallon of regular has risen to $3.72, according to AAA, up from $2.93 a month ago. Speaking to PBS News on Monday, when asked about how much longer the war will drag on, Trump said: “I don’t believe it will be long.” But three sources familiar with the matter told Axios that the Middle East could bleed into September, a much longer timeline than Trump has ever discussed publicly. Thirteen U.S. troops have been killed so far in the war, and 200 troops have been injured, including 10 “seriously,” Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said Monday.