What is today the president’s strategy in the war against him? As of last night, White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt summed it up as follows:
“Trump will decide when the war will end”
“President Trump has not set a specific deadline for Tehran. Iranian attacks on non-US ships in . The Iranian leadership is divided but the US administration knows who will say yes. The regime has no money to pay its own people due to pressure from the US naval blockade. President Trump sets the schedule, holds the cards, and he will decide when the war ends.”
The Iranian regime is showing its teeth
A ballistic missile is displayed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards during a pro-government demonstration at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Square in central Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (Alireza Masoumi/ISNA via AP)
Everything is going well, then, and it is only a matter of time before the successful – for the USA – end of the war. It matters little to Trump and his staff that the day before yesterday, a few hours before exhaling yet another presidential ultimatum (which was eventually extended indefinitely), the regime held nightly military parades in Tehran and other Iranian cities displaying missiles with the names of their targets written on them. Even if it was a propaganda invention with recipients inside and outside Iran, it is clear that the Islamic regime, although wounded, remains functional and showing its teeth.
Trump’s constant readjustments
Faced with this situation, the American president seems to be constantly adjusting his strategy or to have lost it. At least this is what the constant back and forth, the “bombardment” of messages from Trump through social networks, as well as the information published in the American media about a chaotic climate in critical meetings in the White House show.
Trump “headache” of the Generals
Of particular concern was the information that Trump was “locked out” of the War Room during the critical operation to rescue the two American pilots, so that the generals could do their job without him screaming over their heads. If the operation was about something bigger, like grabbing Iran’s enriched uranium, so much the worse.
An even greater sensation was caused by the information that in another “explosive” incident inside the White House, Donald Trump asked for the nuclear weapons codes for an attack on Iran, who straightened his stature and said “no”, although the president has the authority for such a decision.
“Are there adults in the room”?
Is it possible that by channeling this kind of information, some are trying to distance themselves from a destructive and unwarranted policy? Are others pushing the president to push the “button” and he resists by insisting on resolving the crisis with a combination of conventional weapons and diplomacy, without more “drastic means”? Are there really “adults in the room” during critical White House meetings?
Dismissals of senior military officers in the midst of war
The “beheadings” of two ministers within a month reveal a serious difference of opinion. Last night it was announced the resignation of the Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, that is the political head of the Navy and the Marine Corps, which have a pivotal role in the war and enforce the naval blockade of Iran.
On April 3, Chief of the Army Staff, Randy George, was dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The president’s people dismiss any attempt to question his mental capacity as malicious rumours, while Trump has repeatedly denounced the mainstream media’s fake news. However, he himself bears the responsibility for the image presented by his government, for the policies and the choice of the persons who implement them.
The Trump “tsunami”.
His “explosive”, “unpredictable” character, “personal style”, transactional perception, and even the “madman theory” strategy have a basis, but they are not enough to explain the Trump phenomenon. On the other hand, his staunch opponents argue that he is out of control and should be ousted.
Perhaps one of the most important political questions at the moment is who/who are handling Trump’s personal account on the Truth Social platform, that is, whether the president himself writes and uploads the messages on which the fate of millions of people (and billions of dollars in the markets) hangs, or if he is assisted by some of his secret partners. The answer to this question is currently a closely guarded secret.
Whatever the truth, this war and this presidency still hold many surprises for the US and the world.
