Translation result
Observers say President Donald Trump has grown increasingly unsettled and inconsistent in his conduct of the war with Iran, which began in late February.
The Wall Street Journal reported on April 18, citing Trump allies and staff, that behind his public bluster the president is wrestling with fear over the conflict.
Now into its eighth week, Trump’s impulsive and unpredictable behavior has raised concerns inside the White House.
Officials say that in the opening days the president reviewed footage of strikes across Iran each morning and expressed admiration for U.S. military capabilities.
But that confidence didn’t last. Iran moved faster than expected to block the Strait of Hormuz and began striking neighboring Arab states, sending global energy prices sharply higher.
The WSJ reported that before hostilities began, Trump told aides he expected Iran would capitulate before the strait was sealed and that the U.S. could handle any attempt to close it.
It added that he later expressed belated frustration over the strait’s vulnerability.
After Iran moved to block the Strait of Hormuz, Trump told Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Treasury Secretary Scott Besent to weigh economic risks, while at the same time wavering on whether the campaign should continue.
Trump began seeking an exit strategy in late March. People familiar with the talks said he instructed the negotiation team to identify a way to open talks with Tehran.
Aides grew uneasy as his morning messages began to reveal conflicting views about the war.
Close advisers repeatedly urged Trump to avoid impromptu interviews with the press, arguing that mixed messages about prospects for ending the conflict would hurt public perception.
Trump’s loss of control became starkly visible on his Truth Social account.
On Easter, April 5, he posted a profanity-laced message threatening to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and appeared to mock Iran with a line invoking \”praise Allah.\”
Shortly after the post, aides said they fielded protest calls from Republican senators and Christian leaders asking why he had invoked \”Allah\” on Easter morning and why he used profanity.
When pressed about it later, Trump said the reference to \”Allah\” was his idea — language he believed Iranians would understand.
He also asked aides, \”How is it being received?\” signaling concern about the fallout.
Officials pointed to another post on April 7 that threatened \”the end of civilization.\” Government sources said that post was spontaneous and not part of any national-security plan.
Trump’s anxiety reportedly peaked on April 3, when U.S. fighter jets were shot down and two pilots went missing. The WSJ said that after hearing the news he yelled at aides for hours.
People who spoke with him said he appeared fixated on the 1979 Iran hostage crisis — when Iranian students seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and held 52 American diplomats and staff.
When he could not be calmed, aides concluded his impatience would not help and escorted him out of the meeting room.
Aides remained linked to the operations center directing the pilot rescue, receiving minute-by-minute updates. Vice President J.D. Vance and White House Chief of Staff Suzy Wiles participated from their posts.
Trump reportedly did not attend the meeting in person and received only key updates by phone.
Experts are watching how Trump’s impulsive style might shape the course and outcome of the military conflict.
Corey Sheik, a senior fellow at the conservative think tank the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), said, \”We’re seeing impressive military performance, but it’s not translating into victory. That reflects, in large part, a lack of attention to detail and an absence of planning in how this administration operates.\”
Most Read
- No. 1 President Lee Jae-myung: Most people have criminal records… Koreans likely top the list
- No. 2 Could I get it, too?… Up to 600,000 KRW (about $450 USD) fuel-cost subsidy — who qualifies and how to apply
- No. 3 The diver who found the captain missing at Sokcho Daepo Port turned out to be the husband of a famous actress
Most Commented