Trump describes the war with Iran as a minor setback and promises a near victory
US President Donald Trump described a war with Iran as merely a “minor diversion” in his second term, despite recent polls showing a decline in the popularity of such a military confrontation among the American public. These remarks were made during a large campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, primarily dedicated to promoting the “Gratuity Tax Elimination Act,” a measure aimed at workers and passed as part of last year’s comprehensive tax reform package. During the rally, the 79-year-old president boasted about the economic achievements of his administration since his return to office in 2015.
The historical roots of tensions and the escalation of war with Iran
To understand the broader context of these statements, one must consider the complex historical background of US-Iranian relations. The past decades have witnessed multiple escalations, most notably the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and the subsequent imposition of crippling economic sanctions under the “maximum pressure” campaign. These historical developments, coupled with ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf, paved the way for a direct confrontation. In this context, Trump justified his position to a crowd of supporters, saying, “We have achieved the best economy in the history of our country, despite the slight turn in beautiful Iran.” He added, emphasizing the inevitability of the confrontation, “But we had to do it, because otherwise, bad things could happen, very bad things,” a clear reference to the growing Iranian nuclear capabilities, which Washington has long considered a direct threat to its national security.
Regional and international repercussions of closing the Strait of Hormuz
The significance of this event and its anticipated impact extend far beyond local boundaries, encompassing broad regional and international dimensions. Strategically, the Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery through which one-fifth of the world's oil consumption passes, and any closure or disruption of navigation there would immediately trigger shocks in global energy markets. Regionally, these confrontations exacerbate instability in the Middle East, putting Washington's allies in the region on high alert. Internationally, disruptions to oil supply chains threaten to slow global economic growth. Despite these challenges, Trump confidently asserted, "We are on the verge of victory," adding, in a historical comparison, "We spent 17 years in Vietnam, five years in Afghanistan, and much longer in various other places. We, I said, were only there for two months.".
The exorbitant costs and their impact on the American domestic market
Domestically, the economic fallout has cast a shadow over the American public, a fact clearly reflected in opinion polls. A survey conducted by Ipsos last weekend revealed that 51% of over a thousand respondents believed the military intervention was not worth the enormous costs involved, while less than a quarter (24%) disagreed.
In a related development, another poll conducted by Quinnipiac University and published on Wednesday showed that 65% of American voters blame Trump for the recent surge in gasoline prices, which they see as a direct result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The same poll indicated that only 36% of voters approve of Trump's handling of the Iranian issue, while 58% express strong disapproval. These figures reflect the internal division regarding the effectiveness of military operations and their direct impact on taxpayers.
