Trump settles for a truce of convenience with Iran

The United States under President Donald Trump pursued a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran, aiming for "unconditional surrender" through economic sanctions and military posturing. Despite these efforts, Iran's Islamic Republic not only survived but reportedly enhanced its strategic leverage by the end of Trump's term. This outcome suggests a divergence between the stated objectives of the US administration and the actual geopolitical consequences of its Iran policy. The administration's approach, characterized by withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018 and reimposing sanctions, sought to curb Iran's nuclear program and its regional influence. However, Iran's resilience and its continued pursuit of regional objectives, alongside its nuclear advancements, indicate that the sanctions did not achieve the desired capitulation. The period saw significant economic strain on Iran, with its oil exports plummeting and its currency devaluing, but the regime maintained its grip on power and continued to support allied groups in the Middle East.