Trump's confidence is undimmed - but every Iran option comes with risk
What happened
In March 2026, the United States and Israel are engaged in a military campaign against Iran called Operation Epic Fury. Trump previously characterized the war as "already won" and "very complete," but evidence indicates the conflict may extend for weeks or longer. Trump delayed a planned presidential trip to China scheduled for early April by one month due to the war.
Trump called for an international coalition to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, requesting participation from China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others. However, Japan, Australia, and many European powers declined to join the effort. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated the UK would not be drawn into a wider war but remained open to a "viable collective plan." The Strait of Hormuz carries approximately 20% of the world's oil supply.
The US is destroying Iranian minelaying ships in the strait. The US ordered a Marine amphibious unit of 5,000 soldiers and sailors from Japan to the Middle East. The average US gasoline price is $3.72 per gallon, up from $2.94 one month prior. Trump's approval ratings are in the low 40% range, with erosion occurring among centrist Republicans and independent voters rather than his core supporters.
Who's perspective
This appears to be written from a Washington-based political analysis desk, framing the Iran war primarily through the lens of Trump's domestic political standing and decision-making. That focus means the article treats the war largely as a presidential management challenge rather than examining its causes, legality, or humanitarian dimensions.
Taken for granted
The article takes for granted that the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran is an established, ongoing fact and organizes its analysis around how Trump navigates it politically. This leaves unexamined the question of how or why the war began, what legal or international authorization exists for it, and whether the campaign itself is justified — treating those as settled rather than contested.
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