The conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board raked President Donald Trump over the coals Wednesday, for claiming victory over Iran when he has achieved no such thing.
“Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance said the cease-fire is conditioned on Iran’s striking a deal, but it sure sounds like the President wants the war over. ‘A big day for World Peace! Iran wants it to happen, they’ve had enough! Likewise, so has everyone else!’ he posted on Truth Social early Wednesday,” wrote the board. “Will Mr. Trump really start bombing again if Iran draws out talks? Given the risks to oil prices, count us skeptical. This President can change his mind in a minute, but this sounds like the end of this round of hostilities.”
The board then took stock of what has actually been accomplished as a result of the war, and the answer is not a great deal.
On one hand, they wrote, Trump significantly damaged Iran’s military and likely set back its nuclear capabilities. However, “the biggest disappointments are Iran’s continuing threat to the Strait of Hormuz and what happens to its enriched uranium stockpile. Mr. Trump is sending confusing signals about both that Iran is contradicting.”
The fact is, wrote the board, Trump couldn’t guarantee Iran hands over its uranium without a ground invasion, and the Strait of Hormuz is now under greater control by Iran than it had been before the war started, with discussions of them even charging a toll for shipping traffic. Trump suggested, rather than stop it, the U.S. could get in on a cut of the revenue.
“Freedom of navigation has been a bedrock U.S. principle for centuries. China would be pleased if that principle were abandoned in case it has designs on the straits of Taiwan or Malacca. If Iran retains a veto over traffic in the Strait, that would count as a U.S. defeat,” wrote the board. “It would also mean a new risk premium is likely to be built into the global price of oil, despite the sharp plunge in the price on news of the cease-fire. Before the war the global price was close to $65 a barrel. Will the new floor be $80, at least for some time?”
Ultimately, the board concluded, Trump “put himself in this position” by overpromising and underdelivering: “His inconsistent rhetoric on the war — claims of victory amid threats of unleashing ‘Hell’ and an end to Iran’s ‘civilization’ — raised global fears and undermined support at home and abroad. The next test for Mr. Trump will be whether he takes his two-week cease-fire deadline seriously. If he does, and Iran plays its usual games, then he really will have to ‘finish the job.’”
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