Trump's advisers debate timing of Iran victory announcement
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
Aides to US President Donald Trump are arguing about when and how to declare victory over Iran, Reuters reports.
Some officials and advisers are warning Trump that a sharp rise in gasoline prices could have political consequences from the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, while some hardline supporters are urging the president to continue the offensive against Tehran.
Having abandoned large-scale goals, Trump in recent days has emphasized that he sees the conflict as a limited campaign whose objectives have largely been achieved.
Economic advisers and officials, including those from the Treasury Department and the National Economic Council, warned Trump that an oil crisis and rising gasoline prices could quickly undermine domestic support for the war.
According to sources, political advisers, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and her deputy James Blair, are making similar arguments, emphasizing the political consequences of rising gasoline prices and urging Trump to clearly define the concept of victory and make it clear that the operation is nearly complete.
In the opposite direction are the hawks, including US Senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton, who are urging Trump to continue military pressure on Iran. They argue that the United States must prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
A third force comes from Trump's populist base and figures such as strategist Steve Bannon and right-wing TV host Tucker Carlson, who are pressuring him and his top aides to avoid being drawn into another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
According to sources in the administration, Trump is trying to balance between the viewpoints. Apparently, key political advisers, whose warnings about a potential economic shock before the war were largely ignored, played an important role in advancing Trump's efforts this week to calm anxious markets and contain rising oil and gas prices.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the jump in oil prices bring the Russian budget up to 150 million dollars in additional revenue every day.
Due to the sharp surge in fuel prices, the administration of the US president began preparing radical steps to stabilize the domestic US market.
