Donald Trump's conflict with Iran is grinding toward a stalemate, and his top advisers are now turning on each other. The confrontation has entered a Cold War phase, with Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz effectively choking off diplomacy, according to Axios.
Trump Torn Between War and Economic Pressure
Trump is reportedly torn between resuming all-out war against Tehran or waiting to see if his financial squeeze on Iran's oil supply forces the regime back to the negotiating table. 'All [Iran's leaders] understand is bombs,' Trump told one adviser. 'I would describe him as frustrated but realistic,' the adviser added. 'He doesn't want to use force. But he's not backing down.'
Gas prices remain high after months of conflict, as Americans prepare to go to the voting booths for the upcoming Midterm elections. A source close to the President told Axios that 'a frozen conflict is the worst thing for Trump politically and economically.'
Vance Questions Hegseth's Handling
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance has begun raising questions over Pete Hegseth's handling of the war by voicing concern with Trump that US stockpiles for missile systems are low, according to The Atlantic. Two senior administration officials told the outlet that Vance has been raising skepticism to Trump about the Pentagon's information regarding the war. Vance 'asks a lot of probing questions about our strategic planning,' a White House official told the magazine.
Despite Hegseth's claim that Iran's military has been obliterated, CBS News reports that US intelligence has found roughly half of the country's ballistic missile stockpiles and launch systems remain operational since the ceasefire began three weeks ago. Iran has also retained around 60 percent of its original naval forces, primarily the small speedboats it uses to seize oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately two-thirds of Iran's air force also remains usable against US forces, per the report.
