Trump planned to declare victory over Iran despite no nuclear deal — WSJ
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump spent weeks laying groundwork to declare victory in the war with Iran if Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz. He was prepared to end the conflict even without a nuclear deal being signed, The Wall Street Journal reports.
New demands by Tehran, prolonged conflict
According to the outlet, the White House's efforts to quickly end the war became more complicated on Saturday after Iran presented tough conditions for restoring shipping.
Tehran is demanding billions of dollars in reparations, the withdrawal of US forces from the region, and an end to the naval blockade.
Mona Yacoubian, director and senior adviser of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), says Iran's recent tough demands for reopening the strait are increasingly making it difficult for Trump to create off-ramps from the conflict that would save face.
At the same time, Gregory Brew, an Iran expert at consulting firm Eurasia Group, emphasized that the Iranians fully believe Trump wants to exit the strait and is focused on reopening it, so they are taking a hard line.
Hormuz talks instead of nuclear deal
Since April, the White House had sought to include the nuclear issue in broader negotiations, but the process proved too complicated. As a result, in recent weeks Washington has focused primarily on restoring commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's ability to block the waterway using missile attacks and drones has become a powerful source of leverage, shaking global oil markets.
Trump has repeatedly called for the strait to be fully reopened, but these statements proved premature.
Vice President JD Vance also commented on the administration's position, saying they were in the middle of the game and, if not, they would continue to apply whatever pressure they could and get as much oil and gas out of the Middle East as possible so that Americans can enjoy lower prices.
Despite Iran's new demands, the White House insists that the United States has already achieved its main military objectives.
According to officials, the United States will detect any attempt by Iran to rebuild its nuclear program, while the threat of further strikes will serve as a deterrent.
US weapons stockpiles, Middle East situation
As previously reported, the prolonged military conflict in the Middle East has significantly depleted US arsenals and forced Washington to more actively seek diplomatic paths toward a settlement.
Iran has depleted US weapons stocks, potentially strengthening the positions of Russia and China.
Experts say the United States is facing significant shortages of key types of weapons, which could negatively affect its readiness for possible large-scale confrontations with other geopolitical rivals.
At the same time, Washington is counting on tensions easing around key trade routes.
As US Vice President JD Vance said, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will return to the way it was before the war, as the sides have made significant progress in negotiations with Tehran.
