Trump Keeps Iran Naval Blockade, Rejects Talks as Approval Sinks to 33%
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 19
Trump Keeps Iran Naval Blockade, Rejects Talks as Approval Sinks to 33%
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 19
Summary
Trump said no talks with Iran are underway or scheduled, kept the naval blockade "in full force," and said the Strait of Hormuz is open after mines were removed or detonated.
The White House says the pressure campaign is meant to force a nuclear deal by crushing Iran's economy, citing fuel shortages and unrest while arguing Tehran will yield before U.S. or global market pain becomes intolerable.
More than 3,000 Iranians have been killed in six months of U.S. bombing, and former Iran negotiators say economic pain alone is unlikely to break a regime willing to shift the burden onto its population.
At home, the strategy is colliding with political and economic risks: JD Vance said keeping oil and gas cheap is a top war aim, while a Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump's approval at 33% and found 80% expect a prolonged U.S. role.