Trump Abandons Military Option for Economic Pressure in Iran Conflict

US President Donald Trump has shifted his strategy in the conflict with Iran, opting for economic pressure over military force. The decision comes after more than 23 weeks of fighting, with the US naval blockade continuing to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump cited high inflation and difficulty paying soldiers as evidence that Iran is 'in very bad shape' financially. He also mentioned the impact of falling oil prices on US consumers and claimed that economic pressure will be effective in addressing the situation.

A Pentagon official contradicted this assessment, stating that the US has sufficient munitions to sustain its military operations. However, several US media reports have indicated that Washington is running low on munition stockpiles due to the fighting in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Professor Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown University expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of economic pressure against Iran, noting that Tehran's leaders are not under the same internal political pressure as Trump's administration. He also highlighted the repressive nature of Iran's government and its lack of concern for the middle class.