The question arises from a WSJ article that talked about President Donald Trump’s (R) Truth Social post and instructions to Vice President JD Vance (R) to leave off negotiating with Iran and focus his attention on investigating corruption in Progressive-Democrat-run cities.
Trump’s announcement jumbles his current Iran strategy, which has already changed course several times since first launching the war in February. In recent days, he was considering three options: resuming airstrikes, maintaining the blockade on Iranian trade, or making a deal. He chose to tighten the blockade while allowing Vance to pursue an agreement to end the war.
But the president, who has claimed victory against Iran many times, for now seems willing to continue the military operation indefinitely without a diplomatic process in place.
No, Trump most assuredly has not changed course. He’s been steadfast in his goal of denying Iran the capability of obtaining nuclear weapons and, since Iran introduced the matter, reopening and keeping open the Strait of Hormuz. His strategy for achieving these ends has been constant, as well—physical denial of Iran’s ability to effect either nuclear weapons development or closing the Strait and economic denial of its ability to fund recovery of the wherewithal to regain either capability. What has been frangible, as is necessary with any conflict, whether kinetic, economic, or political has been his tactics for executing his strategy. Of course, he’s not going to telegraph those to our enemy, which he would be doing were he to explain his tactics to the press, which that enemy diligently reads.
In fine, Trump has a very clear strategy vis-Ã -vis Iran. It’s typical pressmen’s hubris that they conclusorily claim that their interpretation of his strategy actually is his strategy. This “confusion” is demonstrated by the present news writer’s “confusion.”