Source: Fortune.com
Summary
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S.-Iran war is “very close to being over” despite ongoing tensions and a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. The blockade has been in place for three days, and Iran has warned that it will shut down all Persian Gulf shipping if it continues. The U.S. and Iran have an “in principle agreement” to pursue further talks, but negotiations have stalled. Trump acknowledged that the U.S. is “not finished” but predicted a deal, saying Iran wants to make a deal “very badly.”
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Trump’s optimism contrasts with the facts on the ground, including the ongoing blockade and Iran’s warnings. JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation in Islamabad, offered a more cautious assessment, saying the ball is in Iran’s court. The blockade has halted some, but not all, economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea. Iran’s response has been to threaten to block exports and imports in the Gulf if the blockade continues.
The strategy enters a familiar phase, where confidence is key, but facts on the ground tell a different story.
Author: Evan Null
