WASHINGTON D.C AUgust 23, 2026 – US House Speaker Mike Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that the ongoing conflict with Iran is expected to move into a new phase in the near future, with allied nations likely to play a larger role in bringing it to a conclusion.
Speaking to Fox News on August 23, 2026, Johnson stated: “I think we’re going to get into a new phase here very soon. I believe our allied nations are going to assist in the next phase, and we’ll get this finished.”
The Republican lawmaker and close ally of President Donald Trump also emphasized ongoing distrust of Iranian negotiators. “You can’t trust the Iranians on the other side of the negotiating table. That’s the challenge,” he said. Johnson added that the United States had achieved a long-standing objective of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, crediting the current administration with actions that “took the head off the snake.”
The remarks come nearly six months into a conflict that began with US and Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets in late February 2026. The fighting has centered on degrading Iran’s military capabilities, missile and drone infrastructure, and nuclear-related sites, while repeatedly disrupting shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
A temporary memorandum of understanding reached in mid-June 2026 set a 60-day window for broader talks, but that period expired without a permanent agreement. Hostilities have continued intermittently, accompanied by US economic pressure, sanctions, and efforts to restrict Iranian oil exports. Higher energy prices and inflation have added domestic political pressure in the United States ahead of the November midterm elections.
Johnson expressed confidence that Republicans can retain control of the House regardless of whether the conflict is fully resolved by then, though he noted it “would be helpful” if the situation were settled sooner.
Iran has rejected elements of recent US proposals and has signaled readiness to escalate if diplomatic efforts collapse, particularly around control of the Strait of Hormuz. Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials have separately described the conflict as already shifting toward greater emphasis on economic measures.
The statement by Johnson is the latest high-level indication that Washington is preparing for an intensified phase involving broader international coordination.
About The Author
