Trump's evolving endgame for the Iran war, in 6 quotes

• Now, the war centers on an open-ended economic squeeze of Iran. Meanwhile, the U.S. is moving increasing amounts of oil out of the strait, reducing Iran's leverage.

State of play: The war is in flux. Iran and Oman are discussing a framework to restore safer commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while regional mediators push for a broader off-ramp.

• There are no ongoing talks between the U.S. and Iran, per President Trump as the administration focuses on weakening Iran economically and preventing it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Here's how Trump's vision for ending the war — which began Feb. 28 — has evolved, told in quotes.

Trump lays out the original endgame

"Our objectives are clear. First, we're destroying Iran's missile capabilities ... and their capacity to produce brand new ones. .... Second, we're annihilating their navy. ... Third, we're ensuring that the world's No. 1 sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon. .... And finally, we're ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund, and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders." — March 2

Two days after the war began, Trump laid out an ambitious set of goals to end it.

• Trump went even further in the war's opening weeks, at times suggesting a role in Iran's political future.

Trump suggests a deal to end the war is near

"We have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran." — April 7

By April, Trump was declaring the military phase a success while making reopening the Strait of Hormuz a condition for ending the fight.

• That kicked off negotiations between the U.S. and Iran that continued through the spring.

Trump makes a deal

"We reached an agreement with Iran that achieves everything we set out to accomplish. Everything and much more." — June 17

The U.S. and Iran appeared to have a deal to reopen the strait and end the conflict through a memorandum of understanding, a one-page, 14-point memo.

• The MoU, signed by the U.S. and Iran on June 17, called for an immediate end to hostilities, reopening the strait and 60 days of negotiations toward a final nuclear deal.
• Though the MoU seemed to accomplish Trump's goals, it didn't survive the summer.

Trump's off-ramp closes

"I don't want to deal with them anymore. ... As far as I'm concerned, it's over." — July 8

After the settlement collapsed, Trump made it clear he was done negotiating with Iran, leaving him without the off-ramp he had spent the spring pursuing.

A new exit strategy emerges

"There's a military exit where we just keep going just the way we are ... or there's a smarter strategy and that's you make a deal." — July 24

Following the MoU collapse, Trump returned to his earlier ultimatum: Iran makes a deal or suffers brutal force.

• Days later, Trump reportedly said the U.S. planned to "beat the fucking shit out of" Iran.

A third endgame slowly emerged at the same time: weakening Iran economically rather than militarily.

Economic offensive begins

"I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY! This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale." — Aug. 19

Trump's latest effort centers on economic pressure, with a U.S. blockade choking off the country's financial lifeline.

• "We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money," Trump told Axios.

What we're watching: Whether mounting economic pressure can force Tehran back to the negotiating table.

Reality check: One objective has remained constant: Trump continues to insist Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon, even as his strategy has shifted from combat to diplomacy to economic warfare.

The bottom line: Trump's four- to five-week war has become a half-year conflict whose path to an end keeps changing.