US President Donald Trump has privately suggested the possibility of ending the ongoing conflict with Iran without a nuclear deal, according to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper reports that Trump has been paving the way for weeks to declare victory in the war with Iran if Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz. He has also privately told his top advisers that he could agree to a compromise without a nuclear deal.

A White House official told the newspaper that the US has achieved all its military objectives regarding Iran.

The official said Trump's focus is now on ensuring the secure transportation of energy through the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran continues to attack ships, the president will retain the authority to use military force.

US officials further stated that the president has said in private conversations with his top advisers that the likelihood of Iran restarting its nuclear activities during his tenure is low, as the US had destroyed three of Iran's key nuclear facilities by 2025. In recent meetings, Trump has also expressed confidence that the threat of US strikes on Iran will serve as a credible deterrent.

According to officials, if the US succeeds in gaining control over Iran's nuclear program, Trump will be more willing to extend the current ceasefire indefinitely. It is expected that if Tehran fully opens the Strait of Hormuz, the US president will also lift the military blockade on Iranian ports.

The US president had previously announced that he had called off strikes on Iran because a path to a peace deal was being paved. The initial terms of the deal include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an agreement on Iran's nuclear program. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said last week that Iran and Oman had agreed on the geographical details of a designated maritime route for the movement of ships in the Strait of Hormuz.