The U.S. Navy began escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz last week, only for the operation to be suspended after President Donald Trump cited progress in peace talks with Iran.
This chaotic oscillation in strategy reflects a broader trend. Throughout this war, the Trump administration has moved back and forth between talking about regime change versus ending Iran’s nuclear threat, offering premature declarations of victory, then signaling openness to arrangements that fell well short of the earlier stated objectives. Tehran thus senses that Washington may be searching for an exit on any terms. Just as long as the exit comes sooner rather than later. That gives Iran an incentive to drag out the negotiations.
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Initially, the White House called for regime change, encouraging Iranians to take to the streets. Today, it has moved the conversation toward a potential deal with the regime. This has led America’s allies to question whether the White House still intends to pressure Iran into terms that would actually constrain its nuclear program or make any other meaningful concessions.
The Iranian government certainly isn’t conducting itself as one serious about peace. Tehran has continued strikes against its neighbors, hardened its rhetoric, and shown no signs of concessions on its nuclear file. Yes, the regime suffers growing internal divisions, severe economic stress, serious infrastructure damage, and widespread domestic dissatisfaction. Yet, despite these limitations, it is trying to project strength.
Hence why the U.S. must now remove every source of leverage that the Iranian regime currently holds. Only sustained pressure can motivate the Iranian regime to reevaluate its strategy and the associated determination of the U.S. to end this war on terms favorable to Washington and its Middle Eastern allies. In practice, the U.S. must keep blockading the Strait of Hormuz. It must also show the capacity to reopen that energy chokepoint to international maritime traffic, regardless of Iranian attempts at disruption.
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If the U.S. demonstrates it can sustain pressure indefinitely, it will force Iran to change its calculations. That shift is the only development that will make possible a positive peaceful resolution.
If this pressure alone does not move Tehran toward concessions, renewed war must serve as a daily reminder to Iran’s leaders that they, and their regime, are no safer than on the day this war began.
