The American president already sees himself as the winner in the Iran war. But he wanted to win with a “bigger lead,” said Donald Trump in the White House in Washington.Image: keystone
Because the Iranian regime is still blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the US President is coming under increasing pressure. Does he now have to act before his planned trip to China?
May 1, 2026, 10:14 amMay 1, 2026, 10:14 am
On Thursday, Donald Trump was asked at the White House whether there was progress in peace talks with Iran. The American president didn’t hesitate for long and gave his standard answer. He said: “Iran is eager to make a deal.” But he would only agree to peace if it was guaranteed that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.
Until that happens, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will achieve its goal of making energy exports from Iranian ports impossible. Thanks to the blocked strait, the regime in Tehran is under enormous economic pressure. And sooner or later it will have to be given up.
And actually, Trump added in a TV interview, the USA had won the war a long time ago. “I just want to win with a bigger lead now.”
But now there are increasing signs that Trump is losing patience with Tehran. On Thursday he reportedly summoned Admiral Brad Cooper to the White House, commander of US Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East.
Cooper is said to have presented the president with options for resuming hostilities in Iran. There was talk of a “short and powerful” wave of attacks and possible air strikes against infrastructure targets. There was also supposedly discussion about a mission in the Strait of Hormuz; At best, ground troops could also be used. At least that’s what the internet portal “Axios” reported.
The American government is also trying to put together another alliance behind the scenes that could patrol the strait. “Maritime Freedom Construct” is the name given to the corresponding mission – which is intended to complement an operation by the British and French armed forces. A corresponding dispatch from the US State Department was sent to allied nations, reported the Wall Street Journal. The reaction of the allies is not known.
Gasoline prices could rise to $5 per gallon
The fighting in Iran has been dormant for more than three weeks. But the political and economic disruption of the war, which has cost $25 billion so far, continues. The price of gasoline in the USA rose this week to a multi-year record, with the industrial states of Michigan and Ohio particularly affected by the latest wave of prices. On a national average, a gallon of gasoline could soon cost more than $5, energy expert Patrick De Haan predicted Thursday.
Trump says this is only a temporary development. But the closer the next general election in November gets, the harder it will be for his government to paper over the negative impact of these price increases.
The war is also causing diplomatic headaches for the president. Trump wants to travel to China in two weeks at the invitation of Xi Jinping. Because Beijing is dependent on energy supplies from Iran, China’s hosts have already made demands. that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened. If Trump were to insist on a long-term blockade, Xi would probably be met with great incomprehension. And the visit, which Trump is really looking forward to, could end in a debacle. (bzbasel.ch)