With tens of thousands of U.S. troops pressing in, Trump suddenly calls a halt: Aren’t we fighting this war? What’s going on here?

More than 10,000 U.S. soldiers, more than a dozen warships, dozens of fighter jets—dead-locking the Strait of Hormuz. The arrow is on the bowstring, and everyone around the world thought the fight was about to start. As it turns out, Trump turns around: the war is over, and negotiations might be restarted in Pakistan within the next two days.
What’s the situation? Did he back down? No. Iran hasn’t surrendered, and the U.S. hasn’t admitted defeat.
The U.S. is basically staging a “shake the mountain to scare the tiger” act—maybe you don’t fight the war, but the play has to be performed to the fullest. He wants the whole world to believe: I dare to fight, I can fight, and whether or not to fight is my call. Put plainly, it’s to collect “toll fees,” and that pirate gene is itching to get moving.
But the world isn’t buying into it. NATO Secretary-General says “to the extent possible,” yet member countries are pouring cold water, one after another:
British Prime Minister Starmer: No matter how much pressure there is, we won’t take part in the war; it doesn’t align with the U.K.’s interests.
Spain’s Defense Minister: A maritime blockade is completely unreasonable; we oppose an illegal war.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister: Advocates for peace and opening up navigation routes.
What a coincidence—these two countries’ prime ministers: one just returned from visiting China, and the other has visited China for the fourth time in four years. They’re standing on the right side.
The U.S. originally wanted to use this to test whether NATO is “ironclad,” but NATO chose: not to follow. You want money and troops? You get rich in the U.S.; we’re done.
The U.S. has also indicated: only detain, not shoot; at most use drones to hit speedboats. Several oil tankers have rerouted—some still pass through as usual. Is it just that the boldest survive? No—it’s about who has backing, like China’s backing, which makes the U.S. unable to act.
Iran showed backbone, and in return it gained leverage at the negotiating table—confidence to put forward conditions and demand compensation. The U.S.’s playbook for maximum pressure is crystal clear: crank the pressure all the way up, put on the show properly—but don’t fire up the bullets all at once. What he wants is bargaining chips, not war.
This show tells us: if you stand on the side of fairness and justice, you’re not afraid of fighting alone. Iran used backbone to win respect, and it also proves that—hegemonic intimidation can’t ultimately scare those who stand their ground.
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