In his first direct address to Americans about the war on Wednesday, Trump declared: “We have completely defeated and annihilated Iran.” He added: “They were eliminated militarily, economically and in every other way.” Trump also said that “Iran’s radar has been 100% destroyed” and claimed that “we are unstoppable as a military force.”But those sweeping claims were quickly challenged by events on the ground.
Two plane accidents punctured the tone of victory
A US fighter jet was shot down in Iran on Friday in the first confirmed incident of its kind since the war began.
One crew member was rescued, while another remained missing, prompting the United States to launch a search and rescue operation.In a separate incident, Iranian state media claimed that a US A-10 attack plane crashed in the Persian Gulf after being hit by Iranian defences. The Associated Press news agency quoted a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, as saying that it was unclear whether the plane had crashed or been shot down.These developments came just days after Trump declared that Iran had no “anti-aircraft equipment,” making these incidents particularly damaging to his efforts to project total military dominance.
Trump did not appear in public on Friday, as his battlefield setbacks cast doubt on his previously victorious characterization of the war.
“America alone” in a conflict that Trump chose to launch
Trump’s signature political style — built on certainty, personal power, and unilateral action — clashes with the unpredictability of war.Trump’s decision to enter the war on Israel’s side, without consulting Congress or key allies, has left Washington increasingly isolated.Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University historian, summed up the dilemma to the Associated Press: “You can be the most assertive and aggressive president in the world, but you have no control over what happens abroad.”This tension becomes more evident as the war enters its sixth week.
Allies retreat as Trump struggles to build support
Now some of America’s traditional allies are publicly distancing themselves from Washington’s decision to go to war.French President Emmanuel Macron said this week that the United States “can no longer complain that it did not receive support in an operation that it chose to undertake alone.”“This is not our process,” Macron said.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also refused to be drawn into the conflict despite sharp criticism from Trump. Britain and France are instead focusing on efforts to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz after the fighting ends.John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser and now a critic, said the administration made a “huge mistake” by not building an international coalition before the war.“If you don’t build your coalition before the war, it’s very difficult to do it while you’re in it,” Bolton said.However, Bolton also warned European leaders against opposing Trump simply because they are frustrated by his lack of consultation, describing the approach as “young and cruel.”
Pressure on the Strait of Hormuz deepens the economic repercussions
Trump is also struggling to contain the broader economic consequences of the conflict.Iran has moved to largely close the Strait of Hormuz, throttling global oil and gas flows, disrupting energy shipments and sending gasoline prices sharply higher in the United States.The war is destabilizing economies around the world as Iran targets energy infrastructure in the Gulf and tightens its grip on the transit of oil and natural gas through the strait.Trump has reportedly requested help from world leaders to reopen the vital waterway, but those overtures have been rebuffed. Some allies want the fighting to end first before the issue is addressed, while others are openly critical of the war Trump has chosen to start.
Mediation efforts continue, with Iran indicating conditional openness
Despite the fighting, diplomatic channels were not completely closed.Mediators from Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt are still trying to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table. Two regional officials, quoted by the Associated Press, said that a settlement to stop the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is being explored, which could pave the way for talks in Pakistan.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Saturday that Tehran “never refused to go to Islamabad,” but stressed that Iran wants “conditions for a decisive and permanent end to the illegal war imposed on us.”He also reiterated this position in a separate social media post.The broader regional picture of the latest developments in the war shows the extent of the conflict’s expansion.The United Arab Emirates said its air defenses intercepted 23 ballistic missiles and 56 drones launched from Iran on Saturday. Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, reported eight drone attacks in 24 hours, bringing the total number since the war began to 188 missiles and 453 drones.Debris from the intercepted drones damaged the facades of two buildings in Dubai, including a building belonging to the American technology company Oracle. No injuries were reported.Iran also hinted at expanding naval pressure. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf made a veiled threat regarding the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another major global shipping lane. Any disturbance there would force ships to change their course around South Africa, which would lead to higher costs.
Trump’s broader go-it-alone style also faces limitations at home
The Iran war reflects a broader pattern in the Trump presidency: acting first, often alone, and assuming that political power can overcome institutional resistance.Trump also said this week that congressional approval “is not necessary” for the White House ballroom project despite the judge’s ruling. He signed an executive order to create a national list of eligible, verified voters and restrict mail-in voting, and even made an unprecedented appearance in the Supreme Court where his administration defended an executive order restricting birthright citizenship.But this strategy also faces barriers at home. The Supreme Court struck down his sweeping tariff program, Democrats quickly challenged his voting order, and justices seemed skeptical of his efforts to limit birthright citizenship.In revealing asides during Easter brunch at the White House, Trump joked about the limits of his office.“I’m such a king that I can’t get approval for the dance hall,” he said, drawing laughter from cabinet members and religious leaders. “I do a lot. But I could do a lot more if I were king.”