In the fifth week of the conflict with Iran, President Donald Trump has continued to contradict himself on the war’s objectives and their impact on Americans. Launched on 28 February as Operation Epic Fury alongside Israel, the campaign initially aimed to destroy Iran’s missiles, eliminate its navy, and prevent a nuclear weapon. However, over a month later, these goals have multiplied, contracted, and contradicted each other.
Trump has sent mixed signals on the role of oil in the war. He stated that the conflict had nothing to do with oil, but later posted that the US should “take the oil & make a fortune”. This flip-flop has raised questions about the administration’s true motives.
The president also described the war as nearly over while simultaneously threatening weeks of escalating infrastructure strikes in a primetime address. Within 48 hours, he shifted from telling other nations they could reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves once the US left, to insisting Washington could “easily” do it. These contradictions have fuelled confusion over US strategy.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been a focal point of tensions. Trump’s changing stance on who should secure the waterway highlights the uncertainty surrounding US policy. As the war enters its sixth week, the administration’s objectives remain unclear, with no consistent message on how Americans are affected.
