Trump wanted to cripple Iran - now he might be handing Tehran a victory - opinion
Trump wanted America to take the lead. America took ownership. Now America owns the outcome. Iran’s regime survived. Its nuclear ambitions remain unresolved. And now the Strait of Hormuz is leverage
Assessment
The shift from seeking to cripple Iran to owning the outcome suggests a strategic reversal where initial intentions have backfired. With Iran's regime intact and its nuclear ambitions unresolved, the Strait of Hormuz has become a bargaining chip. This places Tehran in a strengthened position, turning a potential defeat into leverage.