Trump Trapped in Iran’s Escalation Game | US News

Iran’s strategic grip on the Strait of Hormuz has turned the tables on the U.S., according to political scientist Robert Pape, who warns President Trump is trapped in a “wicked escalation trap.” With just two ship attacks, Iran disrupted global oil markets and forced shipping companies into panic — proving it can wield immense leverage without full-scale war. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s drone resurgence in Lebanon, backed by Tehran, adds another layer of chaos, while U.S. efforts to “buy off” Iran fail — power, not money, drives Tehran’s calculus. As midterms loom, Trump faces a brutal choice: appease his base’s appetite for tough action or risk fuel prices and domestic backlash from prolonged conflict. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/8ab728a9eb2dd550