Donald Trump with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) at the US State Department, Washington, D.C., August 7, 2026 (Kent Nishimura/AFP/Getty)

EA on International Media: Trump “TACOs” Over US Strikes on Iran

UPDATE, AUG 20:

I joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Arabiya English on Wednesday to evaluate the prospect of an extended limbo — neither war nor resolution — in the US War on Iran.

I explain how the Trump camp has rejected any renewal of talks with Iran, even as Tehran continues to control the Strait of Hormuz. The Trumpists are now declaring economic warfare to break the Iranian regime.

But I note how the regime is showing no sign of surrender. Instead, Iran is making its own political and military preparations for a protracted conflict.

Can the Trump camp maintain its pressure up to US elections in November? And could it return to military operations afterwards?

I also discuss the response among Gulf States, with the UAE cutting off imports to Iran, Qatar persisting with mediation, Oman negotiating with Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz, and Saudi Arabia considering its position.

Watch from 1:32:

UPDATE, AUG 17:

I spoke with India’s WION on Sunday about the ongoing limbo in the US War on Iran, as June’s Memorandum of Understanding expires.

I begin with the Iranian regime’s “domestic propaganda” of a $30,000 bounty for each US soldier killed or captured, even as the Trump camp steps back from wider military operations.

I analyze the US refusal to engage with Iran on the lines of the MoU, despite Donald Trump signing it in June, and the Trumpist bluster as Tehran continues to control the Strait of Hormuz.

We are stuck until the Trump Administration decides reluctantly that it has to go back to the table. But if it does so, does it do so on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding or do they rip that up and go back to Square 1 on all issues?

ORIGINAL, AUG 14: I joined Pakistan’s Express 24-7 on Thursday to analyze how the Trump camp, out of military options, have reached a dead end in their War on Iran.

Host Zunaira Azhar and I examine Donald Trump’s bluster v. the reality that the Trumpists rejected a wider war inside Iran two weeks ago because of military, economic, and political considerations.

We look at Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz and its effect on the global economy, asking if the Trumpists will accept Iranian management to avoid further shocks from inflation and restrictions on energy supplies.

And we ask: Will the Trump camp go farther and return to negotiations based on June’s Memorandum of Understanding?

I conclude by noting the Iranian regime’s crackdown on dissent, amid a surge in executions of participants in January’s nationwide protests, with new legislation threatening imprisonment for contact with foreign organizations.

Watch from 6:42: