President Trump recently made a statement that the war with Iran is "going swimmingly" and nearing an end, which signals a major push toward a negotiated settlement.
So, why the sudden optimism? A key reason is domestic political strength. Just a day before his remarks, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected a proposal to withdraw troops from the conflict. This vote gives the White House a stronger negotiating hand, free from the immediate pressure of being forced to pull back. Paired with a new 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon, it creates a backdrop of de-escalation that supports his positive message.
The core of the U.S. strategy has been to create leverage through economic pain. First, when the war began, Iran attempted to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for global oil, causing energy prices to skyrocket. In response, the U.S. and its allies launched targeted strikes against critical Iranian energy infrastructure, like the South Pars gas field. Second, the U.S. recently imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. This combination of actions was designed to make the economic cost of the war unbearable for Tehran, forcing them to the negotiating table.
This pressure campaign has directly shaped recent diplomatic events. After initial talks in Islamabad stalled, the U.S. announced the blockade to intensify the pressure. Soon after, a two-week ceasefire was agreed upon, which immediately caused oil prices to drop. This sequence allows the White House to argue that its strategy is working—that military pressure can lead to de-escalation and stabilize volatile markets.
Ultimately, the "incredible results" Trump mentioned are tied to Iran's nuclear program. Strikes in 2025 had already set back Iran's enrichment capabilities, and the IAEA is now calling for strict verification in any final deal. This provides a clear, internationally-backed goal for the negotiations: a verifiable cap on Iran's nuclear activities. Trump's confidence suggests he believes the U.S. now has enough leverage to achieve this long-term objective.
- Strait of Hormuz: A narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the open ocean, through which a significant portion of the world's oil is transported.
- IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency): The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, responsible for verifying that countries are not using nuclear technology for military purposes.
- Naval Blockade: The act of using warships to prevent ships from entering or leaving a country's ports, effectively cutting off its maritime trade.