Trump pivots back to sanctions for Iran as other strategies to end his war fizzle

The shift comes as U.S. stockpiles of key weapons have dwindled and as stop-start talks seem again to have stalled. But Trump insists the pressure can lead to a breakthrough.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2975x1983+0+0/resize/2975x1983!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F46%2Fb0%2F665362f4485f955873488ac91728%2Fap26221761800502.jpg' alt='President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Morristown, N.J.'/><p>The shift comes as U.S. stockpiles of key weapons have dwindled and as stop-start talks seem again to have stalled. But Trump insists the pressure can lead to a breakthrough.</p><p>(Image credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=g-s1-138160' />