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Order Jamie Glazov’s new book, United in Hate: The Left’s Romance with Tyranny, Terror, and Hamas: HERE.
For now, the American military campaign against Iran has been put on hold. President Donald Trump has now dropped all those deadlines for the Islamic Republic of Iran to comply with American demands that he kept extending. Now he has chosen to rely on severe economic pressure, hoping that eventually Iran’s impoverishment will become intolerable, leading to widespread popular discontent that may again threaten the regime. The blockade of Iranian ports has led to a 90% drop in Iranian oil exports. Estimates are that the blockade is costing Iran $400 million a day in lost oil revenue. And Iran is no longer able to receive shipments of food and medicines from its traditional suppliers abroad, who are now blocked from using Iranian ports. How long can the Islamic Republic survive under such conditions? More on the economic war against Iran can be found here: “Trump turns time into a weapon as Iran war shifts to economic pressure phase,” by Herb Keinon, Jerusalem Post, April 24, 2026:
When US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran this week without setting an end date, he did more than buy time. He redefined what this phase of the conflict is about.
The instinctive reading of a ceasefire is that it signals de-escalation – a step away from confrontation. That Trump backed down. Got weak knees. Capitulated, as support for the war in the US continues to tank.
But that would be a misreading of the situation. The bombing may have paused, but the pressure on the Islamic Republic has not. It has merely changed form.
A more accurate way to understand the current moment is this: the war has not stopped; it has shifted.
For six weeks, the emphasis was on military force – US and Israeli strikes designed to degrade Iran’s military infrastructure and nuclear capabilities. That objective, by most accounts, was largely achieved. Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities are not today what they were before February 28. Not by a long shot.
Smoke and flames rise from the South Pars gas field following an Israeli strike, as seen through the window of a moving vehicle, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Asaluyeh, Bushehr Province, Iran, March 18, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from social media video.
But military action alone – at least since World War II – has rarely produced durable political outcomes. It can weaken, deter, and change the situation on the ground, but it does not, by itself, reliably produce the desired political results. The US experiences in Vietnam and Iraq are glaring examples of this.
What Washington is now attempting is something different: to turn those battlefield gains into leverage – and to do so not through continued bombing, but through sustained economic pressure….
For the US and Israel, this period allows for replenishment, repositioning, rest for pilots and air crews, and the quiet preparation of next steps should the current approach fail. The US is already moving a third aircraft carrier strike force into position.
In other words, it is not simply Iran that can take advantage of this time….
During a ceasefire, it’s not only Iran that can use the time to regroup and reposition its forces, and to bring out weapons it had not used before. So can the U.S. and Israel, replenishing their diminished stock of weapons, including drones and ammunition, adding new ships to enforce the blockade on Iranian ports, and giving their pilots and air crews a much-needed rest after the furious pace of their last bombing campaign, when they, hit 15,000 sites all over Iran.
But this, too, will not be simple. As Ben-Yishai pointed out, there are currently multiple centers of power in Iran: the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; the more pragmatic political echelon made up of the president, parliament speaker, and foreign minister; and Mojtaba Khamenei, the figure tabbed as supreme leader, but whose whereabouts and ability to function remain unknown.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is now believed to be in the ascendant in Tehran. It has taken over direction of the country; Mojtaba Khamenei is apparently physically and mentally incapable of assuming the responsibilities of rule. The “moderates” — President Pezeshkian, Parliamentary Speaker Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Araghchi — are all being sidelined by IRGC hardliners; Ghalibaf is already believed to have quit the negotiating team because the IRGC wanted him out.
As Trump puts it, when one weighs the hardship of higher prices at the pump against the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran, there is in his view only one choice: Americans must endure what he believes is a painful but temporary price rise, in order to save the world from a nuclear Iran.
Iran is now facing a complete economic collapse. Every day that the blockade continues costs the country $400 million. Americans have to pay more for gasoline, but what a small price that is to pay in order to prevent one of the world’s worst regimes from obtaining the world’s most dangerous weapon.
“Americans have to pay more for gasoline, but what a small price that is to pay in order to prevent one of the world’s worst regimes from obtaining the world’s most dangerous weapon.”
It’s hard to believe that anyone with a modicum of common sense wouldn’t think that a modest increase in gasoline prices is a very, very small price to pay for eliminating the nuclear threat from the Muslim terrorist state of Iran. Was Trump supposed to wait until they nuked NYC and Washington, D.C.?
Thinking back to WWII and the massive sacrifices, including the hundreds of thousands of young men who died, it’s very disheartening to think that Americans are getting impatient about paying another dollar a gallon or so in gas prices for a few months to prevent the deaths of millions of Americans from a nuclear armed Iran. .
Saying it’s a small price to pay for gas above $4 is just a manipulation ploy. We’ve heard from Netanyahu since the 1990’s that Iran was weeks away from a nuclear bomb.
Under operation Midnight Hammer in 2025 we attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities using B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and Tomahawk guided missiles. We were told Iran’s nuclear capabilities was decimated.
In addition, this war would be over very quickly. How quick? Maybe a week. Then two weeks. How about a month? Ok, would you believe it’s still going on months later?
But hey, if you want to be a patriot just pay $4 plus for gas. Ok, again, for how long? The problem is it’s not just the high priced gasoline. It’s inflation. Trucking companies moving products are paying more and charging more. That cost gets passed to the customer. So, let’s not pretend it’s “only $4 gas.”
The stock market was starting to rebound, but now it’s experienced losses for a week.
To try to simplify this and say “I can’t understand how anyone can’t get behind paying $4 plus for gas to get rid of Iran’s nuclear capabilities” is just a simpletons way to explain it.
Don’t be mistaken. I voted for Trump. I would still voted for Trump. But, Trump has surrounded himself with some real nut jobs starting with his “spiritual advisor” Paula White.
Play this Iran war off all you want, but when midterms rolls around we might be in big trouble.
Look at the market today. Within 1% of its ALL TIME HIGH. Gas is still cheaper than under Biden . Lastly, unlike you I haven’t forgotten the hostages, nor the sailors held to embarrass them, nor the over 1200 Americans killed either by Iran directly or through their supplying terrorist organizations. My difference with our President is with his patience. Mine is running out.
Gas at the pump, where I just filled up, was $4.30. To say, “gas is still cheaper than Biden” is unacceptable. It’s still very high. You didn’t address the inflation. It’s high.
This was wasn’t about hostages from the 1970’s. It was supposed to be about destroying Iran’s nuclear capacity, but the goal post keeps moving.
Duval…
You ARE absolutely right…
I’ve been posting about the coming world’s economic problems for weeks now…
People don’t want to listen… they’re so blinded by ‘orange’… they can’t think.
Trump has been manipulating the markets with his Truth Social Tweets since nearly the beginning of the Iran War… and the Markets DO NOT reflect the economy…
Even the futures of Oil is being toyed with…
The Island Boy is a massive idiot…
The problem is one of understanding; that is, the understanding that there are different kinds of warfare. There is “Nationalistic” warfare, to dominate economically or politically, and there is “Theocratic” warfare, the driving force being emotional and egotistical, to impose beliefs. Iran wants a Nuke. In a normal mix of geopolitical interaction, why shouldn’t they have one? They just want to protect and defend their country, which they should be able to do. I mean, it’s not as if they would drop one on Tel Aviv, right? RIGHT?? “Houston, we have a problem!”
And the ONLY solution, is to get the “Islamic” out of the “Islamic Republic”, eliminate the IRGC (a “Revolutionary Guard” is not needed, if the “revolution” is what the PEOPLE want), give them a Constitutional Republic and bring back the Shah. The Persian people deserve that.
Sumsy wumsy
As if you are a market maven on the price of crude. You are truly an idiot. First off it’s oil futures, not futures of oil.
Secondly you could post your elementary school BS from now until doomsday and no one would care.
You really do need to get over yourself. You just aren’t that bright.
So the price of gas is up a dollar to two dollars. Big deal. It’s not like no one is driving any where any more. If you can’t afford a modest increase in prices maybe you aren’t managing your money very well. Perhaps you cut down on the bull sh*t, traitor boy.
Hey how’s that end times deal of yours coming along? Seen any anti christs lately?
Actually… what can you say Intrepid… you’re one of them that took the Covid vaccine…
You’re just a wussy, weak little scaredy cat…
You probably would’ve taken several more boosters if I hadn’t been talking bad about them back in the day…
So yes… people do listen to what I have to say… including yourself. Whereas you don’t ever have anything of value to say… other than insulting people to make yourself feel like a tough guy…
…
What is important… America’s SPR is at it’s lowest in 4 decades… with the Petrodollar being devalued… losing it as a world currency, now being replaced by the Yuan…
In other words… what you consider a “modest two dollars”… <<< It's going to get worse.
Thus… your silly 2 bass guitar collection won't do you any good…
Toodles…
Like I would listen to a word you have to say. Nobody listens to a word you say.
Talking bad?? There’s the sign of an uneducated lump.
One of your biggest issues you are still on about basses, women in my church and covid. Talk about stuck in the past. Your latest obsession appears to be Epstein.
I’ll always be able to buy what I need/want. That’s because I can actually manage my money. How do you manage your riyals up there in the holler, you sniveling little traitor.
You can manage your money?
Nah… you’re living a lie…
I have managed my affairs for the last 40 years. I guess that is why I have way more money than you ever will.
addendum:
“You’re just a wussy, weak little scaredy cat…” Of you?” Must be nice to still be in the fourth grade. “scaredy cat? Really?
Are you delusional enough to actually believe that people actually listen to your ravings, considering the number of downvotes you routinely get? On which website or magazine. Name them you little coward boy braggart.
I seem to remember that the SPR was affected by your hero Biden. He emptied them. BTW when the price of oil goes up that means what I own increases in value. Basic economics. That means my basses, the antiques, the metal I keep locked up that you seem to have a problem with, tw*t-head.
I’ve never run across anyone as stupid, delusional and angry as you. How’s that imaginary endtimes enterprise of yours coming along anyway. I think I see an auntie christ in your backyard. Are you still the very elect of the Shady Glen Padded Room insane asylum?
How’d you put it? Oh yeah…..toodles. Go write something that the entire world will hang on.
Intrepid… I doubt very much you have investments…
How so?
You can barely buy ammo…
If you haven’t noticed… inflation is on the rise…
And…
Your so called 2 bass guitar collection isn’t gonna be worth jack squat in a devalued economy… caused by your lying orange Island Boy… who is crashing the world economy, manipulating the markets and building the Baal-room
The government bailouts can’t sustain it any longer… and this Iran War has produced a major supply Shock.
And…
Remember… Baal is the same fake god allah <<< Your satanic homosexual ELCA god…
Also remember…
Epic Fury = Epstein Fury
Get this… TACO Trump doesn't have any deal with Iran… and can't get one. Iran won't give in to Diaper Don. Iran has the leverage… holds the cards. A much better hand than Trumps Uno cards…
Get this… fertilizer is already up 80% to 100%… everyone can expect lower yields and higher food prices…
And then… higher food costs tend to lead to social unrest… consider 2011 and the so called Arab Spring…
Ugh… I've said enough… you bootlicker…
I invest in gold and sliver, mostly mining. I am doing just fine. How about you? I build my own ammo as well as what I buy.There is plenty of ammo in the stores and online. Try Bass Pro Shops
My basses are 60+ years old, that qualifies them as antiques. They only go up in price. Sucks to be you. My property only goes up in price as well, you know, land value.
Again with your satanic fake church garbagio. Baal, really? Is that all you have? Do you live in the real world? Fertilizer…really? Iran has the leverage? Bootlicker? Really?
Personally I think you have a major hard on for Epstein’s jailbird girlfriend.
I don’t worry about inflation but I bet you do.
Basically you never have an idea what you are talking about, re: anything You are just an annoying idiot who makes it all up as he goes along, who thinks the great depression is always right around the corner.
All of the social unrest comes from idiots like you and leftist jerks like hasan puker. Maybe you should sign up with him.
This coming from our resident delusional fake christian who fancies himself chosen by God to be one of the “very elect” (of what I have no idea) and spends his days fantasizing about the end times and his buddy Baal, and his collection of auntie christs that only he gets to see.
You can heave your 3rd grade insults at me all you want. It means nothing. You are nutz. You always have been nutz. You are the epitome of failure.
Bottom line, Trump is president. He won by a landslide. You didn’t. You are just a loser a$$ barnacle boy next to a polluted river.
So jerk wad, keep it up. I need a laugh now and then.
Intrepid… your measly few pieces of gold and silver (if you have any) won’t buy you wisdom… which you lack…
You’re such a Island Boy bootlicker… a narcissist simp for the Diaper Don…
Also… your lousy 2 bass guitar collection won’t buy you food when the SHTF…
Because of your reprobate mind and lack of wisdom… you can’t understand… which is why you’re stuck in a satanic homosexual approved ELCA fake church…
This coming from the delusional fake christian who fancies himself chosen by God to be one of the “very elect” (of what I have no idea) and spends his days fantasizing about the endtimes and his collection of auntie christs that only he can see.
Sumsrent, see a psychiatrist. You are nutz.