Mustafa Khoshcheshm, a professor at Tehran University of Applied Science, said after attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz faltered US President Trump is seeking a way to end the confrontation without admitting defeat. He told Iranian media Trump refuses to concede defeat and has been seeking an exit that can be portrayed as a victory; he added that, in his view, vessels currently transiting the Strait are using Iranian-controlled routes, which he interprets as evidence the US has been losing

Mustafa Khoshcheshm, a professor at Tehran University of Applied Science, said after attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz faltered US President Trump is seeking a way to end the confrontation without admitting defeat. He told Iranian media Trump refuses to concede defeat and has been seeking an exit that can be portrayed as a victory; he added that, in his view, vessels currently transiting the Strait are using Iranian-controlled routes, which he interprets as evidence the US has been losing the campaign. Khoshcheshm also said Washington has ordered US diplomatic posts in the region to operate at minimum staffing, a move he said could indicate plans for a large-scale strike against Iran in the coming weeks or months.