{"id":2448,"date":"2026-08-09T15:14:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T15:14:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2448"},"modified":"2026-08-09T15:14:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T15:14:38","slug":"irans-leaders-think-they-have-trump-cornered-but-their-strategy-carries-great-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2448","title":{"rendered":"Iran\u2019s leaders think they have Trump cornered, but their strategy carries great risks"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>The <span>Strait of Hormuz<\/span> is, by some accounts, named for a <span>Zoroastrian<\/span> deity destined to emerge victorious after a 9,000-year standoff with an adversary.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2447\">Shanghai cancels 1,300 flights as Typhoon Dolphin hits China\u2019s eastern coast<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s leaders feel <span>their own victory<\/span> is at hand and won\u2019t require the same epic patience.<\/p>\n<p>They are betting that military pressure will ultimately force the United States to accept their control over the crucial waterway for global energy \u2014 and that time is on their side.<\/p>\n<p>They know about the <span>diminishing stockpiles<\/span> of key U.S. weapons such as advanced missile interceptors. They know the war is <span>deeply unpopular<\/span> with Americans. They know that as long as the strait is largely closed, the price of gas and other goods <span>will stay high<\/span> ahead of U.S. congressional elections in November. They know that trying to open it by force would be costly and <span>may require American ground troops<\/span>. They know their Houthi allies in Yemen <span>could widen the war<\/span> and disrupt another major trade route. <\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p>By that logic, U.S. President <span>Donald Trump<\/span> has no choice <span>but to capitulate<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>But Iran\u2019s strategy carries risks.<\/p>\n<p>Trump points to strikes that have decimated Iran\u2019s top leadership, navy and air force. He alternates between threatening escalation and saying talks are going well. Iran\u2019s own economy <span>has been battered<\/span>, in part because of a U.S. blockade. Iranians rose up in mass protests <span>just months ago<\/span> and could do so again. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<!-- AP \"Read More\" embed (place mid-article) --><\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>And Iran\u2019s leaders need only look to how Trump\u2019s <span>\u201cshort-term excursion\u201d<\/span> to the Middle East has bogged down to be reminded that wars rarely turn out as expected.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<bsp-figure><br \/>\n<template><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<picture>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"People spend time at a beach as commercial vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi\/ISNA via AP)\" class=\"Image\" height=\"399\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/74ba355\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Ff4%2F17118da4a196feeb3a6ed80c3ad1%2F761b9177e1d24121a7b4b6f885f9af28\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/74ba355\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Ff4%2F17118da4a196feeb3a6ed80c3ad1%2F761b9177e1d24121a7b4b6f885f9af28 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/957423f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Ff4%2F17118da4a196feeb3a6ed80c3ad1%2F761b9177e1d24121a7b4b6f885f9af28 2x\" width=\"599\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<bsp-carousel-read-more><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<bsp-page-actions><\/p>\n<div>\n<!--            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=ap%20news\">--><br \/>\n<!--            <\/a>-->\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n                    Share<br \/>\n                    <svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<bsp-copy-link><\/p>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-copy-link>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<bsp-print-link><\/p>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-print-link>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-page-actions>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-carousel-read-more>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><br \/>\n<\/bsp-figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>An evolving deal could give Iran a major win<\/h2>\n<p>Iran says it is <span>close to reaching a deal<\/span> with Oman to manage the strait, which runs between the countries. But on Saturday, <span>Tehran said the strait will not open<\/span> until the U.S. \u201ccorrects its behavior,\u201d saying it must permanently end the war, lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports and withdraw its military from the area. It also must \u201ccompletely compensate\u201d Iran for war damage, lift sanctions and \u201cunconditionally\u201d release frozen assets.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p>There was no White House comment.<\/p>\n<p>A deal with Oman would formalize Tehran\u2019s control over what had been an open international waterway before the war, one that carried a fifth of the world\u2019s traded oil and gas.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<!-- AP Morning Wire Newsletter Embed (self-contained) --><\/p>\n<div>\n<!-- Red AP Prompt Bar --><\/p>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<strong>Sign up for Morning Wire:<\/strong><br \/>\n    Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.\n  <\/div>\n<form>\n<input\/><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<label>Email address<\/label>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<label><br \/>\n<input\/><br \/>\n<span><br \/>\n          By checking this box, you agree to AP&#8217;s<br \/>\n          Terms of Use<br \/>\n          and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our<br \/>\n          Privacy Policy.<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n<\/label>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Abdolreza Davari, an analyst who once advised former President <span>Mahmoud Ahmadinejad<\/span>, said Iran\u2019s effective control of the strait has given it leverage with the U.S. and regional countries that can help guarantee its security.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMore than revenue from the strait, Iran wants to confirm its management and sovereignty over the strait,\u201d he said by phone from Tehran.<\/p>\n<p>Formal control over even part of the strait would be a clear win for Iran and a loss for the U.S., which has yet to accomplish <span>some of its various and shifting goals<\/span> in the war. <\/p>\n<p>It would also deal a blow to <span>global norms<\/span> on freedom of navigation and <span>set a precedent<\/span> that much of the world would find disturbing \u2014 that nations can shut down trade choke points at will.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p>China, which buys oil from Iran and has influence over it, said <span>as recently as May<\/span> that \u201cnormal and safe passage\u201d through the strait should be restored.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<bsp-figure><br \/>\n<template><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<picture>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A woman waves an Iranian flag next to a billboard showing a graphic of a man wearing a shirt showing the face of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during a joint U.S. and Israeli strike on Feb. 28, with words calling upon the avengers of Imam Hussein, one of Shiite Islam's most beloved historical saints, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (AP Photo\/Vahid Salemi) \" class=\"Image\" height=\"399\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d12d4de\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/8640x5760+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F20%2F33%2Fea8713175e872fdad916da2ddd09%2F6a1ea434bf2743878c29f160355277bf\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d12d4de\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/8640x5760+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F20%2F33%2Fea8713175e872fdad916da2ddd09%2F6a1ea434bf2743878c29f160355277bf 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/9aedbb5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/8640x5760+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F20%2F33%2Fea8713175e872fdad916da2ddd09%2F6a1ea434bf2743878c29f160355277bf 2x\" width=\"599\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<bsp-carousel-read-more><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<bsp-page-actions><\/p>\n<div>\n<!--            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=ap%20news\">--><br \/>\n<!--            <\/a>-->\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n                    Share<br \/>\n                    <svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<bsp-copy-link><\/p>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-copy-link>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<bsp-print-link><\/p>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-print-link>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-page-actions>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-carousel-read-more>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><br \/>\n<\/bsp-figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Iran feels time is on its side<\/h2>\n<p>To borrow a phrase from Trump\u2019s <span>own theory of geopolitics<\/span>, Iran believes it holds the cards.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey started the war, but its end was never with them. We always decide for ourselves when it ends,\u201d Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iran\u2019s chief negotiator, posted on social media. \u201cIran is going after the enemy\u2019s defeat \u2014 not an agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said <span>a surprise Iranian attack on Jordan<\/span> in July \u201ccompensated\u201d for a drop in oil prices. That contributed to the collapse of an interim agreement reached in June that had offered <span>significant concessions to Iran<\/span>, including a U.S. waiver to sell oil internationally and the promise of broader sanctions relief.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2445\">Houthis claim attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facility and Yemeni port, and other Mideast news<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Iran has repeatedly said the Strait of Hormuz will not go back to being an open waterway, and that it will keep attacking ships trying to transit without its permission. Iran\u2019s joint military command has called it an \u201cunbreakable red line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has become a strategic lever for deterrence, maintaining the regional balance of power, and reshaping the security rules in the Persian Gulf,\u201d said Mostafa Najafi, a Tehran-based security analyst.<\/p>\n<p>That poses a major obstacle to ending the war, much less resolving the even more complex, long-standing dispute over Iran\u2019s <span>nuclear program<\/span>.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThe atomic issue, because of the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, has been pushed to the side, and in reality, that is in Iran\u2019s interests,\u201d said Rahman Ghahremanpour, an Iran-based analyst. Control of the strait would give Iran leverage if the nuclear talks resume, he added.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<bsp-figure><br \/>\n<template><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<picture>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Women walk past a banner showing portraits of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, left, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, center, and the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the U.S. and Israel strike on Feb. 28, under a bridge in northern Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo\/Vahid Salemi)\" class=\"Image\" height=\"399\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/4fdda40\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/8439x5626+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb1%2Fde%2F621f934f3ed77cd0d13d28d866f7%2Fe04ccc58c7d9446ba3c0d4e611648cf1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/4fdda40\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/8439x5626+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb1%2Fde%2F621f934f3ed77cd0d13d28d866f7%2Fe04ccc58c7d9446ba3c0d4e611648cf1 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/38fdb0f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/8439x5626+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb1%2Fde%2F621f934f3ed77cd0d13d28d866f7%2Fe04ccc58c7d9446ba3c0d4e611648cf1 2x\" width=\"599\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<bsp-carousel-read-more><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<bsp-page-actions><\/p>\n<div>\n<!--            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=ap%20news\">--><br \/>\n<!--            <\/a>-->\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n                    Share<br \/>\n                    <svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<bsp-copy-link><\/p>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-copy-link>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<bsp-print-link><\/p>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-print-link>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-page-actions>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-carousel-read-more>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><br \/>\n<\/bsp-figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>It\u2019s still a risky gamble<\/h2>\n<p>The economic fallout from the war <span>has spread worldwide<\/span> but is particularly acute in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. and Israeli strikes have <span>pummeled its industrial base<\/span>. The U.S. blockade has choked off much of its oil exports. Iranians are grappling with <span>triple-digit food inflation<\/span>. Trump has repeatedly <span>threatened major strikes<\/span> on civilian infrastructure like water and electricity.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In December, a currency crisis sparked some of the biggest anti-government protests in the 47-year history of the Islamic Republic. Authorities responded with <span>a bloody crackdown<\/span> in which thousands were killed and tens of thousands detained.<\/p>\n<p>Many in Iran, including those close to its moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian, fear it may go too far.<\/p>\n<p>Mohammad Javad Zarif, who as foreign minister helped negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal, wrote in a recent essay that Iran\u2019s achievements in the war had opened \u201can exceptional window for diplomacy.\u201d But he warned that if it doesn\u2019t strike a deal soon, then \u201ceconomic recovery will be difficult, and the possibility of internal unrest or renewed aggression, especially after the U.S. elections, cannot be ruled out.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<bsp-figure><br \/>\n<template><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<picture>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Vehicles drive past a billboard showing a photo of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, greeting the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Iranian and Palestinian flags, at an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (AP Photo\/Vahid Salemi)\" class=\"Image\" height=\"399\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1ca9e08\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6599x4399+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F37%2Ff9%2F01e18219175d371d6360a4543231%2F9225454d0b724f779c2bf85c76470735\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1ca9e08\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6599x4399+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F37%2Ff9%2F01e18219175d371d6360a4543231%2F9225454d0b724f779c2bf85c76470735 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/f9199b5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6599x4399+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F37%2Ff9%2F01e18219175d371d6360a4543231%2F9225454d0b724f779c2bf85c76470735 2x\" width=\"599\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<bsp-carousel-read-more><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<bsp-page-actions><\/p>\n<div>\n<!--            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=ap%20news\">--><br \/>\n<!--            <\/a>-->\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n                    Share<br \/>\n                    <svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<bsp-copy-link><\/p>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-copy-link>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<bsp-print-link><\/p>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-print-link>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>\n<svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-page-actions>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/bsp-carousel-read-more>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><br \/>\n<\/bsp-figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The war has already been marked by surprises.<\/p>\n<p>After the first wave of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Feb. 28 killed Iran\u2019s supreme leader and other top officials, Trump suggested it would be over <span>in a matter of weeks<\/span>. <\/p>\n<p>Instead, the conflict has emboldened Iran\u2019s leaders and mobilized their supporters. Tehran is using the strait \u201cto show that it has not been defeated,\u201d Ghahremanpour said. \u201cIt can increase its legitimacy at home.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>But the strategy could also backfire. Iran\u2019s resilience has limits and there are concerns that an economic crash could trigger unrest. \u201cIran cannot continue with this strategy forever, and at a certain point, in reality, it has to reach a deal with America,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>But Davari said that for now, Iran can withstand the pressure. \u201cIt\u2019s unlikely, despite the difficulties of the economic situation, that Iran will retreat from its positions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>___<\/p>\n<p>Associated Press reporter Hend Kortam in Cairo contributed.<\/p>\n<p>___<\/p>\n<p>Krauss has reported from across the Middle East for more than 20 years, including postings in Cairo, Baghdad and Jerusalem. Radjy is a Cairo-based journalist who has reported on Iran for over a decade.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2444\">Turkey says defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is not aimed at Iran or any other country<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Iran&#8217;s leaders believe that sooner or later the United States will have to accede to their control over the Strait of Hormuz. That would mark a victory in the five-month war, as the critical waterway carries a fifth of the world&#8217;s traded oil and gas in peacetime. But Iran&#8217;s strategy also carries major risks. A prolonged conflict could inflict further damage on Iran&#8217;s economy and infrastructure, potentially triggering another wave of internal unrest. In the meantime, the conflict over the strait makes it difficult to wind down the wider war, much less resume negotiations over Iran&#8217;s disputed nuclear program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-world-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Iran\u2019s leaders think they have Trump cornered, but their strategy carries great risks - Top Moving Pros<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2448\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Iran\u2019s leaders think they have Trump cornered, but their strategy carries great risks - Top Moving Pros\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Iran&#039;s leaders believe that sooner or later the United States will have to accede to their control over the Strait of Hormuz. That would mark a victory in the five-month war, as the critical waterway carries a fifth of the world&#039;s traded oil and gas in peacetime. But Iran&#039;s strategy also carries major risks. A prolonged conflict could inflict further damage on Iran&#039;s economy and infrastructure, potentially triggering another wave of internal unrest. In the meantime, the conflict over the strait makes it difficult to wind down the wider war, much less resume negotiations over Iran&#039;s disputed nuclear program.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2448\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Top Moving Pros\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-09T15:14:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/74ba355\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Ff4%2F17118da4a196feeb3a6ed80c3ad1%2F761b9177e1d24121a7b4b6f885f9af28\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/topmovingpross.com\\\/?p=2448#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/topmovingpross.com\\\/?p=2448\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/topmovingpross.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d120f8ae15027244cf4e8ea553e290f8\"},\"headline\":\"Iran\u2019s leaders think they have Trump cornered, but their strategy carries great risks\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-09T15:14:38+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/topmovingpross.com\\\/?p=2448\"},\"wordCount\":1302,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/topmovingpross.com\\\/?p=2448#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dims.apnews.com\\\/dims4\\\/default\\\/74ba355\\\/2147483647\\\/strip\\\/true\\\/crop\\\/6000x4000+0+0\\\/resize\\\/599x399!\\\/quality\\\/90\\\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Ff4%2F17118da4a196feeb3a6ed80c3ad1%2F761b9177e1d24121a7b4b6f885f9af28\",\"articleSection\":[\"World News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/topmovingpross.com\\\/?p=2448#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/topmovingpross.com\\\/?p=2448\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/topmovingpross.com\\\/?p=2448\",\"name\":\"Iran\u2019s leaders think they have Trump cornered, but their strategy carries great risks - 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