US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson stated that he expects the war with Iran to “enter a new phase very soon” and that United States allies will assist in bringing the conflict to an end during this next stage.
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, August 23, Johnson said: “I think we’ll be in a new phase very soon. I believe our allied countries will help in the next phase, and we will finish this.”
The House Speaker also expressed confidence that Republicans would maintain control of the House of Representatives in the upcoming midterm elections.
When asked whether Republicans could still win if the war continues through the November 3 election, Johnson replied: “Definitely.” However, he added that it would be preferable for the war to conclude before the election takes place.
Johnson, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, reiterated that Republicans would prevail in the election even if the conflict persists into November. Regarding the strikes on Iran, he remarked: “People know that we struck the head of the snake.” He added that the US needed to ensure that Iran, which he described as the “largest state sponsor of terrorism,” does not acquire a nuclear weapon.
Hostilities among Iran, the United States, and Israel began on February 28, 2026. During the initial strikes, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other senior officials were killed. In response, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and launched drone and missile strikes against US interests in the region.
Following a temporary ceasefire announced in April, clashes resumed in several phases. While the intensity of military operations has decreased in recent weeks, the Trump administration simultaneously announced “crushing” economic measures against Tehran and nations trading with Iran.
Iran continues to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this critical energy corridor has driven global oil and gas prices higher, pushing US gasoline prices above four dollars per gallon, up from less than three dollars before the war.
In recent days, US officials claimed that American forces hold effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, with significant volumes of oil moving through a southern maritime corridor along the coast of Oman.
Pointing to the increased passage of oil through the region, Johnson noted: “We are taking this step by step.” However, he cautioned that the Iranian side cannot be trusted at the negotiating table, emphasizing again that US allies will assist in bringing the war to a close in the coming phase.