President Donald Trump has made so many later-debunked claims about the Iran war, its purportedly imminent end, and a supposedly overwhelming US victory that it’s impossible to evaluate the credibility of his latest announcement.
But his pausing of “Project Freedom” — a naval effort aimed at guiding commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz — will fuel optimism that a diplomatic effort led by Pakistan to end the conflict is still alive.
When exchanges of fire between US and Iranian forces in the strait on Monday did not reignite the war, it signaled that neither side wanted full-scale fighting to resume.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters today that the major military campaign, “Operation Epic Fury,” had ended — further fueling hopes of a deescalation.
It’s probably not a coincidence that Trump is due to head to China next week in the most consequential trip yet of his second term. Beijing is an Iranian ally and its economy is exposed to a slowing of oil through the strait.
But time will tell what this really means.
As it stands, Iran’s hardline leaders are in control; it has not agreed to end its nuclear program; and it has closed the strait and held the global economy hostage. It is giving every impression that it believes it has the upper hand.
What happens next may depend on whether Trump and Iran are prepared to offer each other a face-saving exit.
