Albeit frustrated that Iran hasn’t negotiated an end to the war, President Donald Trump increasingly believes that the United States has assumed the initiative over the Islamic Republic. In a social media post on Monday, Trump asserted that “IRAN IS COMPLETELY COLLAPSING!!!” Trump also told Fox News last week that Iran needs to “put up the white flag of surrender.”

Trump’s new confidence underlines his willingness to let the economic challenges facing Iran play out. That stands him in contrast to ultra-hawk supporters of the president, such as Mark Levin, who seek a return to full-scale war.