Trump Revises Rhetoric on War With Iran as Conflict Nears Six-Month Mark
The conflict between the US and Iran has reached its six-month mark, a milestone that President Donald Trump had repeatedly assured Americans would be over in just weeks. In fact, he initially described it as a 'little excursion' lasting only a matter of weeks.
However, with the war still ongoing and costs mounting to more than $37.5 billion, Trump's rhetoric has shifted. He now claims that the US has already devastated Iran's leadership, military, and economy through bombs and blockade.
The administration is shifting its strategy from a military approach to increasing economic pressure on Tehran. This includes threats to punish any country or entity that continues to conduct business with Iran.
Air Force General Richard Goldberg, who served as a senior adviser on Iran during Trump's first White House term, argues that the US should now 'seal off every escape hatch' the regime has left by layering a naval blockade with an air and land embargo while dropping the hammer on anyone providing access to hard currency.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a campaign called 'Operation Economic Outcast,' but only issued warnings to nations to cut trade, yet to announce any secondary sanctions. China, Iran's biggest trade partner and oil buyer, responded by expressing its opposition to 'illegal unilateral sanctions.'