Then trade away sanctions for free passage of the Hormuz at the peace table.

It's still losing, but not losing as badly.

April 08, 2026 - 16:15 UTC

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Makes sense, basically show that you are also willing to endure pain for a longer term, but also dangle the carrot.
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Note that this outcome also basically means accepting an Iranian nuclear program (I think the current ceasefire does this too), so you'd also need to scramble with the GCC to prepare for a Middle East defined by nuclear deterrence.
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I think in a huge number of ways it would be better for the US to just pay direct reparations to Iran -- "we realize we screwed up under international law, take this payment and sanction relief as a consolation and let everything go back to status quo"
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There's an argument to be made for that, but even with a sane administration it would be politically costly/very difficult - and how much more so with That Man, who is literally incapable of ever apologizing or admitting error.
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