Donald Trump is reportedly looking for an off-ramp to end the war in Iran amid collapsing approval ratings and no clear sign the US can score a decisive victory in the Middle East
Donald Trump is being “humiliated by Iran” as the Middle East conflict continues with no clear end in sight that could see “seismic” consequences for the US President, a foreign policy expert has claimed.
The Republican braggart said he ordered US forces to “hold off” on a planned attack on Iran amid supposed “serious negotiations” among leaders. Trump has shifted his war aims from toppling Tehran’s terror regime and destroying the country’s military capabilities to preventing Iran from building a nuclear weapon.
But his bungled battle plans have resulted in a “strategic defeat” for Trump despite air strikes killing the Ayatollah in the early phase of the conflict, said security and defence expert professor Anthony Glees. Iran humiliated the US by blocking the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping lane, sending oil prices spiking while also demonstrating to Washington’s rival China that little could be done to force it open.
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“It has been a strategic defeat for Trump and the US,” Mr Glees told the Mirror. “It has demonstrated, for all the world to see but most importantly Iran itself and its closest ally [China’s President] Xi-Jinping the true limits of American power. Trump is being humiliated by Iran, and a few days ago we saw him also humiliated by China.”
The war in Iran is widely unpopular in the US and abroad. A New York Times/ Siena poll found nearly two thirds of American voters believe his decision to go to war was wrong, although some 70 per cent of Republicans support it.
Trump’s approval rating has also tanked in recent months due in part to the ongoing conflict. The same poll found the US President’s approval rating sank to a low of 37 per cent – his worst since returning to the White House in January 2025.
Amid his tanking approval ratings, Trump took to TruthSocial to announce a deal was apparently in the works. He said: “I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow, in that serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond.
“This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN! Based on my respect for the above mentioned Leaders, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and The United States Military, that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.”
The war has also drained the US of an estimated $29 billion (£21bn) at a time when Americans are cutting back on spending amid rising petrol and grocery prices. Trump’s desperation for an off ramp resulted in him making incredible concessions to his political rivals that could have far-reaching consequences, Mr Glees added.
“Xi knew that Trump wanted him to get his pal Iran to stop the war and re-open the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. “So badly, in fact, that we’re told Trump offered to work with Xi and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin – for goodness sake – to abolish the International Criminal Court. This is what a man down on their uppers must stoop to.
“The consequences of this seismic shift are profound and they all come from the attack on 28 February.” Trump’s May 18 TruthSocial post, claiming deal could soon be thrashed out between Iran and the US is the latest of several instances he has claimed the war is nearing its end – each having failed to bring a conclusion to the conflict.
Mr Glees argues Trump has overplayed his position and any decisive end to the conflict would require boots on the ground, something many Americans have been firmly against.
“All that has been achieved is that Strait of Hormuz previously open and free of charge to global shipping is now closed and will become a toll-both for Iran when it opens, one day,” he added. “The Iranian regime is a jihadist revolutionary regime and will fight America from caves, if there are not cities left standing, and with knives if they have no more weapons.”
Trump’s recent claims of an imminent deal have calmed panicked stock markets, although his methods of announcing negotiations or apparent escalations have been questioned by the expert. Mr Glees said: “His language has always been the language of cold, violent threats delivered with horrifying cruelty – think his offer to destroy Iran’s culture.
“The problem for Trump is that you can’t keep on shouting at maximum volume, no one believes you any longer. All you achieve is looking weak and as the threats pile up, weaker by the minute.
“Iran sees this and smells it, and they are playing him for the fool that he is.”
