LOS ANGELES (OC).–President Donald Trump said today at a White House press conference that Iran wanted to talk again but wasn’t quite ready to resume negotiations to end the war. Iranian officials often deny that they want to seetle the conflict with the U.S. despite Trump saying that diplomatic channels are still working on a settlement. After 13 days of strike at military installation round Iran aimed a crippling the IRGC’s ability to continue striking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran walks a very thin line with Trump promising more potent strikes if Iran doesn’t come to the table. Iran’s IRGC and the mullah government believe they can outlast the U.S. playing it’s 21st century guerrilla warfare, essentially using drones and ballistic missiles to keep the fight going. Iran has a advantage of wagng a cheap guerrilla war against the U.S., knowing the costs to the U.S. military.
Trump said that Iran has two definite options, either come back to the table or face more destructive U.S. military attacks on its infrastructure and bridges.Iran’s IRGC knows that Trump can’t stop the terrorist IRGC from continuing strikes on commercial ship, but, more importantly, on U.S. assets in bases around the Middle East. Penagon officials reported running out on intercepter missiles, leaving U.S. military bases more vulnerable to missile strikes at the war wears on. Trump can’t figure out how to neutralize the IRGC and now Yemen’s Houthi rebels already cusing problems in the Bab-e-Mandeb Straiit in Yemen. Two Saudi tankers were forced to turn around on their route to the Suez Canal where they can deliver their payloads to fossil-fuel thirsty European countries. Euopean airline customers have already witnessed a sharp rise in jet fuel causing flight delays and cancellations.
Prospects in the Iran War of neutralizing the IRGC are remote, considering the shadowy manner in which they operate. Receding into the woodwork, terror groups like the IRGC give the U.S. military fits because they’re so decentralized, so camouflaged, so hidden that they’re poor targets for the U.S. military. Even going after drone and missile stockpiles isn’t easy because3 it’s like finding a needle in a haystack for the U.S. military. If Trump wants to get Iran’s attention, he’s going to have to hit command-and-control centers in Tehran. When the war started Feb. 28, the Israseli military struck the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s hideout in Tehran. Coordinating with Israeli’s Moassa, Trump would be well-admisted to go after command-and-control bunkers in Tehran, not seeking out drone or missile stockpiles in remote locations around Iran.
/Why the so-called European allies haven’t offered to help open up the Strait of Hormuz in anyone’s guess. EU still gets about 20% of its oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf, although a recent report has the EU buying more natural gas from the Russian Federaion. How ironic that the EU funds the proxy war with the Kremlin while at the same time buying 18% more natural gas from Russian than 2025. Trump war with Iran has morphed from one of degrading Iran’s military to an economic war where Iran seens nothing less that controlling worldwide oil and natural gas prices by blocking accss through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has claimed sovereignty over the Persian Gulf. If Trump opts for diplomacy before he has iron-clad guarantees of an open Strait of Hormuz, he would give Iran license to manipulate worldwide oil and natural gas prices.
When Defense Secretary Pete Hegselh testified in the Senate Armed Services Committee July 21, he complained bout needing another $90 billion, over the already $37 billion spent on the Iran War. Paying for two carrier strike groups is far more costly that Iran firing of cheap drone and missiles on U.S. targets. Fighting a guerrilla war costs a fraction of the amount of conventional warfare. Hegseth finds himself running out cash-and-weapons, whie Iran can keep going indefintelyh firing off cheap Shahed drones. Instead of wasting cash-and-arms on remove Iranian military lociations, Trump should pivot back to taking out Iran’s command-and-control centers, the only sure way to gets its attention. Knowing the high cost of the Iran War, Trump is under increased pressure to get results, namely, to get Iran to open up the Hormuz Strait and stop firing on commercial ships.
Speaking to the press today, Trump had no answers when the Iran War would endi, only saying that military pressure would ratchet up on the Persian regime. Judging by the amount of attacks on commercial ship in the Hormuz Strait, it’;s dowbtful that the Tehran-based mullah government still calls the shots. Since Khamenei;s death Feb. 28, it’s clear Iran has experience a power shit where the IRGC calls the shots on all military decisions. Maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz ahs kept the Trump White House from making any progress. Trump no fights and economic war with Tehran where control over the Hormuz Strait has keep oil and natural gas price through the roof. Degrading Iran’s military is no longer Trump’s primary objective now that Iran has sought to domaniate the oil markets. Without opening up; the Hormuz Strait, Iran continues to control world oil markets.
About the Author.
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analzyins spin national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
