There are three groups who understand the best thing to do. Who are they?
Let’s Leave the Strait of Hormuz Alone
Please consider Let’s Leave the Strait of Hormuz Alone
President Trump was reportedly “shocked” to see many thousands of Iranians in the street mourning at the funeral of the country’s late leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over the weekend. Khamenei was assassinated by the United States at the beginning of the February US surprise attack on Iran.
The US attack on Iran was sold to Trump by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and US neocons as an easy “cake walk” that would lead the Iranian government to fall and be replaced with a US-friendly regime.
“I thought they hated him,” Trump said of the murdered religious leader of Iran.
Not only did the Iranian people not rise up to replace their leadership with one friendly to Washington, but the society seems to have become even more cohesive and patriotic. This should surprise no one, as when similar tragedies occurred in the United States – assassinations, 9/11, etc – we also as a society came closer together.
The Iranians did not rise up and declare support for the US. American military bases throughout the region are so severely damaged by Iranian retaliation that most cannot be brought back online. Scores of US military equipment has been destroyed or damaged at a cost of tens of billions of dollars. Countries in the region are rethinking their decision to essentially become protectorates of the United States now that it is demonstrated that they cannot be protected by the United States. American military power suddenly looks less powerful.
But perhaps the most destructive “own-goal” of the US attack is the Iranian decision to establish control over the Strait of Hormuz. Even in the US/Israeli attacks of last June, the Strait was kept open by Iran. It is a vital trade route and in everyone’s best interest to keep open for business.
Now, however, progress toward peace with Iran continues to be thwarted by the stubborn insistence on the US side that the Strait of Hormuz must not be controlled by Iran and that a fee system for passage through the Strait cannot be instituted by Iran and Oman. Several skirmishes have already taken place in the area, threatening to take the US back to war.
It is in the best interest of the United States to abandon claims on Hormuz – which is thousands of miles away – and live with the consequences of Trump’s mistake. Another war cannot win what two previous wars have lost. Let Iran control the Strait and let international trade and commerce be re-established. Let’s leave the Strait alone!
Flashback June 2025
Let’s discuss what Trump has said about Iran’s nuclear capability following the joint attack with Israel in June of 2025.
Successful Attack
Truth Social: We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Jun 21, 2025, 5:50 PM
Historic Moment
Truth Social: I will be giving an Address to the Nation at 10:00 P.M., at the White House, regarding our very successful military operation in Iran. This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!
Jun 21, 2025, 6:13 PM
Monumental Damage
Truth Social: Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!
Jun 22, 2025, 7:55 PM
Total Destruction
Truth Social: The sites that we hit in Iran were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it. Only the Fake News would say anything different in order to try and demean, as much as possible — And even they say they were “pretty well destroyed!” Working especially hard on this falsehood is Allison Cooper of Fake News CNN, Dumb Brian L. Roberts, Chairman of “Con”cast, Jonny Karl of ABC Fake News, and always, the Losers of, again, Concast’s NBC Fake News. It never ends with the sleazebags in the Media, and that’s why their Ratings are at an ALL TIME LOW — ZERO CREDIBILITY!
Jun 23, 2025, 12:10 PM
Trump Proclaims Peace
Truth Social: Israel & Iran came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, “PEACE!” I knew the time was NOW. The World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS! Both Nations will see tremendous LOVE, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY in their futures. They have so much to gain, and yet, so much to lose if they stray from the road of RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH. The future for Israel & Iran is UNLIMITED, & filled with great PROMISE. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!
Jun 23, 2025, 8:18 PM
Israel and Iran Agree to Peace, Trump Stops the War
Truth Social: Both Israel and Iran wanted to stop the War, equally! It was my great honor to Destroy All Nuclear facilities & capability, and then, STOP THE WAR!
Jun 24, 2025, 9:17 AM
Fake News
Truth Social: FAKE NEWS CNN, TOGETHER WITH THE FAILING NEW YORK TIMES, HAVE TEAMED UP IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEMEAN ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY STRIKES IN HISTORY. THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED! BOTH THE TIMES AND CNN ARE GETTING SLAMMED BY THE PUBLIC!
Jun 24, 2025, 7:46 PM
Total Obliteration
Truth Social: Secretary Marco Rubio: “There’s no way Iran comes to the table if somehow nothing had happened—this was COMPLETE & TOTAL OBLITERATION, they’re in bad shape…”
More on Obliteration
Truth Social: Last weekend, the United States successfully carried out a massive precision strike on Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities, and it was very, very successful—It was called OBLITERATION. This incredible exercise of American strength has paved the way for peace, with a historic ceasefire agreement…
Israel Confirms Obliteration
Truth Social: Israel just stated that the Nuclear Sites were OBLITERATED! Thank you to our great B-2 pilots, and all others involved!
Jun 25, 2025, 11:17 AM
Throw Natasha to the Dogs
Truth Social: Natasha Bertrand should be FIRED from CNN! I watched her for three days doing Fake News. She should be IMMEDIATELY reprimanded, and then thrown out “like a dog.” She lied on the Laptop from Hell Story, and now she lied on the Nuclear Sites Story, attempting to destroy our Patriot Pilots by making them look bad when, in fact, they did a GREAT job and hit “pay dirt” — TOTAL OBLITERATION! She should not be allowed to work at Fake News CNN. It’s people like her who destroyed the reputation of a once great Network. Her slant was so obviously negative, besides, she doesn’t have what it takes to be an on camera correspondent, not even close. FIRE NATASHA!
Jun 25, 2025, 12:25 PM
Total Obliteration Recap
Is there any question here about total obbliteration?
Those who disagree need to be thrown out like dogs.
So Why Are We Here?
- Supposedly, we need to stop Iran from getting a weapon despite the fact that anyone who makes that claim that Iran has capability should be thrown out like dogs.
- Alternatively, we need to open the strait that was open before we stupidly attacked Iran.
Congressional Approval?
Too late for that Porter. Ron Paul has this right and you know it.
Return to War Issues
Amusing Synopsis by MTG
We are back to bombing Iran during the ceasefire for the Iran war that is not a war because Iran bombed a vessel for crossing the Strait of Hormuz that they don’t control yet apparently control.
Not sure how they bombed the vessel because we have totally and completely obliterated their military and beat them in the war that is not a war like 40 times now.
I’m so glad that Trump ran for president to end forever foreign wars otherwise I might start thinking this war that is not a war that we won like 40 times is starting to turn into another forever foreign war in the Middle East.
Good thing Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Department of Defense, I mean War, is headed to Israel to take orders from, I mean ask for advice, on how to totally wipe out Iran, I mean bring peace.
I’m totally sure no one in the executive branch or donors will do any sort of insider trading based on super duper secret military decisions.
You know the kind based on intelligence that Congress is going to fuse with Israel’s military after they all vote to pass the National Defense (war) Authorization Act.
Because this is exactly what we all voted for when we said Make America Great Again.
What Needs to Happen
Mish: What needs to happen is for the Trump to declare the war is won and leave.
What Three Groups Understand That?
- Libertarians
- Anti-war persons
- Isolationists
Libertarians are ate the top of the list. More broadly, anyone with an ounce of common sense wants to pull out.
Case Stated Brilliantly
Ron Paul stated the case brilliantly: “It is in the best interest of the United States to abandon claims on Hormuz – which is thousands of miles away – and live with the consequences of Trump’s mistake. Another war cannot win what two previous wars have lost. Let Iran control the Strait and let international trade and commerce be re-established. Let’s leave the Strait alone!“
If Iran charges too much alternative routes will develop.
The best estimates to date is about $1-$2 million per tanker, depending on size.
That’s only about $1 per barrel, paid by buyers, largely in Asia. That’s hardly a catastrophe. In Other News …
Retribution
Epstein Files
Can Trump Stay Awake?
Trump Refers to Japan as Islamic Republic of Iran
“There were 111 missiles shot by the Islamic Republic of Japan.”
“I call it the Obama nuclear waste deal.”
Pointing to Zelenkyy Trump asks “Do you have a question for president Putin?”
Question repeated: “Do you have a question for president Putin?”
Please Play This
Related Posts
July 7, 2026: The U.S. Launches Strikes on Iran So Iran Again Closes the Strait
Fees on safe passage are the heart of the matter.
July 8, 2026: Trump Warns Ceasefire with Iran Is Over, Calls Iran Scum, Oil Surges 8 Percent
I didn’t think Trump would be this foolish, but here we are.
July 8, 2026: Judge Orders Trump to Pay Jean Carroll $5 Million Damage Plus $800,000 Interest
The Supreme Court refuses to hear the case triggering the payout.
Ron Paul stated the case brilliantly:
– The Government realized as needed and appropriate for America, by Ron Paul (2007):
1. National Defense. (> For Peace)
2. A Court System in place.
3. A Criminal Justice System in place.
That’s what was and is the true roll of Government. Not much else is required, and certainly the current Behemoth of Personal and Power is absolutely out of control.
Do we even need or even require as many of the personal in Government today? If so, what for beyond the list above. Get rid of them!
What about Unions? Should there be even 1 person in Government, as part of a Union? They are supposed to be unbiased and work for the people, and not have the people work for them!
Ban ALL Unions that are part of anything other than “Private” and with no connection to American Taxpayer’s Money whatsoever. No Federal Money should ever be spent on a group that has different views than our own Government has in regards to Money, Benefits, Bonuses, Rules Etc. as their ruling source of decision making. Most of it is over the top to begin with, as they are a Party Class all to themselves, controlled by Government, For Government, and at Taxpayers expense, but with Absolutely Zero Say on or about any of it, as we just pay the bill, but have no knowledge why, or for what, and by whom, now do we… Get rid of them, or force them to go “Private”
Sounds just like a Trump speech! Congrats!
I agree with Mish and Ron Paul on the immediate point: the US should stop escalating and get out. But I am less convinced that libertarianism deserves quite such a privileged position as the philosophy of peace.
Libertarians are understandably suspicious of state violence and foreign intervention. However, reducing the power of the state does not necessarily reduce violence; it may simply transfer power to private security organisations, corporations, militias or wealthy individuals. The difficult question is who decides what constitutes aggression, legitimate ownership or proportionate self-defence when there is no widely accepted public authority to settle disputes.
Libertarianism provides a strong argument against this war. I am not sure it provides such a complete answer to violence more generally.
Mish – you are always pushing the case for Libertarianism without any articles explaining how to avoid its unavoidable consequences. Looking for conversion!
Somewhere on this site is an article with unredacted Trump/Epstein files.
Perhaps that’s where this ‘foolish” stuff is coming from.
Marjorie Taylor Greene nailed it.
she’s hot
I wish Trump’s father would have pulled out…
In the past 13 months what was guessed at has now been made explicit. Bad Iran continues to exist and will toll traffic through the strait of Hormuz and continue supporting bad Hezbollah, bad Hamas and bad Houthis of Yemen, plus who knows what else. The Abraham Accords will come partly unraveled.
It all started when the always bad Israel : Gaza situation became explicitly bad Oct. 7th 2023. So Bibi Netanyahu had to declare his own ‘War Against Terror’. I don’t envy Israel the limited choices they have.
Over here, Good cop Bad cop hasn’t worked. Has anyone think-tanked depolicing the situation? And with four different bozos in the oval office, going back to 2001, do we need to call a Constitutional Convention to rewrite what we expect from presidents and foreign policy? “Avoid foreign entanglements” meant something very different when G. Washington retired in 1797, but we do need a discussion of that and our role in the world .
If we would have just stayed out of it, and not backed Israel no matter what genocide thing it did, the whole world would be better off.
Warmongers learned nothing from Vietnam, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Iran.
Sheesh stop the god damn meddling.
AIPAC, fanatical evangelicals and defense contractors ensured that “staying out” was never a political option.
Ron Paul Also Gets Ukraine War Right.
There is a lot of people in this world who hate each other. Combined with greed of individuals and corporations. All are ok with sending other peoples children to war for their cause.
Let’s face it — Trump did the Iran hit in exchange for the real estate deals in Gaza negotiated through Kushner. I hope those deals all get voided the same day Trump is out of office.
Iran should call the fee a “tariff”…lolz
I think war mongers learned a lot that has been reinforced along the way: the American public don’t give a damn. Proof? These clowns are still around and getting rich off the spoils. More proof? Trump still has a lot of public support and his sycophants still get voted into office. You want more? Just look at the financial support the US provides to Israel by one means or another – how does that happen?
Americans are fat and lazy and like the way things are. Same for most of the rest of the modern democracies around the world.
At the Khamenei funeral they were carrying a huge banner “We Will Kill Trump”.
Inshallah. Don’t forget Satanyahu.
Jojo: “I keep hearing this from leftists and USA haters but don’t see HOW Iran can do this (close the Strait)”
BBC: US-Iran strikes: Strait of Hormuz ship traffic falls steeply
Bloomberg: Hormuz Traffic Grinds to a Near Halt as Ceasefire Under Threat
I guess this will remain one of the unsolved mysteries of the universe.
Politics rules over judgement and doing the right thing these days.
“Politics rules over judgement and doing the right thing these days.”
As it’s always been in the good old USA. I can’t think of one time good judgement overrode bad politics and policy, especially when it comes to use of force.
I must agree with you that Ron Paul has the right idea. Losing–and that’s what it is–is better than the chaos and incompetence on display now. Trump can go find some other way to get retribution and revenge.
The two times I voted for him were the only ones that weren’t for the lesser evil.
Evil won though.
He was the true anti-deep state, anti-establishment candidate, that is why he got no traction.
But the lying, racist, rapist, demagogue? Oh, Americans voted for him in droves.
America does not deserve Ron Paul. It deserves Trump.
Maybe it isn’t America’s job to keep the sea lanes open. I recall that in 1956, America stopped the British and French from preventing Egypt from seizing the Suez Canal, which Egypt hadn’t built. I believe Egypt has been making good money out of it ever since.
Some people may have heard of the romantic castles along the Rhine, in a mountainous area called the Rhine Gorge to be exact. These castles were built not by nobles defending their people, but by crooks who wanted to and did charge tolls on the waterway. Their game ended when Napoleon cleaned them all out. Not everything Napoleon did was bad.
I think in the end, there should be a bit of practical common sense about property rights on waterways and highways. I can understand that a company that built a road may be entitled to charge tolls on it. The Persians did not however build the Persian Gulf. What about the Bosporus? I don’t think Turkey gets away with charging tolls on that.
The Strait was open until something happened. Can anyone recall what happened that triggered the closure of the Strait?
Freakin’ crazypants Iranians just up and closed it up. Who knows why those nutbars do things?
I agree entirely. Trump is right to go after Iran on this issue. It’s in the whole world’s interest to support him on this. Or maybe people would prefer to see a proliferation of these gangster tactics along every major trade route.
If we would have just stayed out of it, and not backed Israel no matter what genocide thing it did, the whole world would be better off.
Warmongers learned nothing from Vietnam, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Iran.
Sheesh stop the god damn meddling.
Unfortunately War Mongers Need War. Maybe if our Military was a lot smaller, in regards to things other than “National Defense” We wouldn’t have the resources to cause such disruptions.
Iran is a perfect example of this. We bombed the Nuclear site, and said we destroyed everything but the dust. That somehow developed into an all out war afterwards. We should have just walked away with a job well done, but nope!
The War Mongers with Money and Power got involved, and added some Benjamin’s to the mix, with some ideas on how to spend it. Fight! The answer to everything for those in Power of an Elite Military. You must use it or lose it, when Government money is in play…
I think maybe you are confused about who the real gangster is.
see my comment above – Trumptard moron
when you discuss gangster tactics, what is your opinion on assassinating the people you are negotiating with?
Turkey does in fact charge a fee, and just raised it recently. The Panama Canal charges a fee. I am sure there are other places where a fee is charged as well.
Even the UNCLOS allows for charging of environmental fees, maintenance fees etc, so Iran can charge them if they want, if you don’t want ot pay, don’t use the Strait. The charge amounts to $1 per barrel of oil, which does not move the needle on the overall price.
Iran did not sign the UNCLOS Treaty, neither did the USA. So America lecturing Iran about how they are not conforming to a Treaty that neither has signed is the height of hypocrisy. Marco Rubio, a moron if I have ever seen one, expressed outrage that Iran should violate the UNCLOS, proving my point. What International Law does the USA adhere to, besides none?
Which only proves how clueless you are. You lack understanding of basic facts, proving you are so stupid that you must be a Trump supporter.
https://mishtalk.com/economics/does-president-trump-have-any-idea-what-passports-are-for/#comment-449328
Do you think the “Persians” also want to seize a certain island?
quoted here bears repeating! The US is wasting time and resources in overseas conflicts, National security should be built on domestic strength, specifically by securing our power grid and reducing global oil dependence. We have the technology, tools, solar, wind, advanced battery storage, nuclear power to make this happen.
We have the wrong people in place to make this happen.
Had Reagan had not taken the solar panels off of the WH and not severely cut funding to the DOE, we might be the ones suppling the world with solar energy.
is DT hooked on Ambien? A personal friend of mine was hooked on Ambien (now deceased) and DJ is showing signs of similar addiction.
Trump’s Doctor Accused of Handing Out Ambien. D.E.A. Calls the Practice Illegal.By Gina Kolata April 26, 2018
regulators and medical experts were taken aback by allegations that Dr. Ronny Jackson, personal physician to President Obama and President Trump, handed out the pills to White House staff and to reporters on such trips
How many cokes per day is he at now? He could definitely be riding a rollercoaster of soft uppers and downers. That will take a toll on an 80 year old.
3-star Mishelin award, reasons should be self-evident.
The “Anti-war persons” are mostly left-wing independents and some (grassroots) members of the Democratic Party. The party leadership is, of course, all gung ho about war.
Most Democrats are all in on the pointless No Kings rallies. Rallies win no demands. No wonder some people think they’re a psy-op. Everybody is afraid of calling out the real problem: Zionism and the Israel lobby.
AntiSemite! Antisemite!
No, the US cannot just leave. The US is liable to pay reparations for the unprovoked war inflicted on Iran and on its citizens. Anything less would be what a gangster does. Alas.
I think that’s kind of what we’ve always done isn’t it?
“We” didn’t do it, ‘Lil Mr. The corrupt, cancerous organism that rules the US Empire did it. Our only part was forking over the taxes to pay for it.
You think people in other countries make any distinction between you and Washington? Why should they?
Amercians voted for this Government, and got the Government they deserve. Now you have to pay the consequences.
Stop whining. If Americans wanted another Government style, they would have it. Everybody votes UniParty, and gets John McCain as President, now serving his 10th Term, in spirit.
The world hates America, and for sound reasons.
“The 2026 World Cup has become a global love fest for the US – at a time when the rest of the world has plenty of reasons to dislike us,”
https://www.vox.com/culture/492507/world-cup-us-tourism-reactions-trump-america-soft-power
Don Corleone’s biggest fiasco is that he managed to make an unknown unknown, i.e. the US military’s power into a known known.
He is the Alonso de Guzman of the Spanish Armada (though probably less articulate).
No war. Can we start a national campaign to recall a shitload of politicians and impeach a narcissist? Oh, and retire Bibi…
The Gestapo, I mean, ICE is now well trained in dealing with recalcitrant citizens.
Trump is a wart on the ass of society! Sad
A pimple on the ass of a dead Marine we used to say.