Doug Bandow, senior fellow at US conservative think tank the Cato Institute, said the main confrontation between the US and Iran has moved to the economic front as both sides implement a dual blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. "Trump's position is very difficult. He closed the Strait of Hormuz, inadvertently gave Iran a very powerful weapon, and he is unwilling to risk US warships to try to open it," Bandow said. "It's hard for him not to reach an agreement that satisfies Iran." Bandow cast doubt

Doug Bandow, senior fellow at US conservative think tank the Cato Institute, said the main confrontation between the US and Iran has moved to the economic front as both sides implement a dual blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. "Trump's position is very difficult. He closed the Strait of Hormuz, inadvertently gave Iran a very powerful weapon, and he is unwilling to risk US warships to try to open it," Bandow said. "It's hard for him not to reach an agreement that satisfies Iran." Bandow cast doubt on Trump's claim that he does not care about the war's effect on the upcoming midterms. "He may say that, but no one really believes it. The last thing he wants is a Republican rout in November. Everyone wants this to end. I have no doubt he has heard that and does care," Bandow said.