Why Trump’s war is only making Iran stronger
Donald Trump has called on European countries to find some “delayed courage” and support his war in Iran, but is the MAGA president losing interest because he knows Iran has ultimately won?
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In brief…
- Donald Trump has told EU countries to “go get your oil” from the Strait of Hormuz, after refusals from countries across Europe to support his war in Iran.
- While the US and Israel continue spending huge amounts on maintaining strikes, the country’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz suggests the power in this conflict lies with Iran.
- The News Agents say Iran seems certain to emerge from the war stronger, and Trump’s only success has been to unite Europe against him.
What’s the story?
‘We’ve won’. ‘We need everyone’s help’. ‘We don’t need any help’. ‘Sort the Strait of Hormuz out yourselves’.
It has been difficult to keep up with Donald Trump during his war in Iran, as he continually changes his messaging during the conflict he entered woefully unprepared for.
Today (31 March 2026), he told European countries to “go get your oil” from Iran, who closed the Strait of Hormuz – the main export channel for 20% of the world’s oil reserves – due to the US and Israeli attack.
It seems like he has had enough.
“This is Donald Trump having the biggest presidential paddy you could imagine,” says Lewis Goodall.
“I think he knows, in his bones, that he's made a mistake. He started this war without an endgame, and thought it would be over extremely quickly.”
“He’s now facing Iran being able to credibly say that not only did they win this war, but they're going to come out of this war stronger.”
Why might Iran emerge from this war stronger?
US and Israel warfare against Iran has been, so far, conducted solely through airstrikes, with a ground invasion threatened, but yet to be implemented.
Experts have suggested it could result in huge loss of US lives, in a war many Americans are believed not to support, due to its enormous cost during a growing cost of living crisis on home turf.
During the conflict, however, Iran has exercised and exploited its greatest asset – the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran has shown the world it has its foot on the economic throat of the West, and will be able to do that again via the Strait of Hormuz,” Lewis says.
“They're going to start making loads of cash from the Strait.
“They're already talking about basically making billions via a toll on the Strait of Hormuz, not just during the war, but in perpetuity.”
Does Trump know he’s lost control?
Trump has previously criticised NATO allies for not aiding his war in Iran, and more recently called on countries "like the United Kingdom" to "build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT".
It appears NATO and EU countries are indeed building up some courage – they're just not using it in the way Trump would have wanted.
“Right now, there are definitely signs of backbone emerging,” Emily says, but that is not being used to back Trump, countries are mustering the strength to stand against him.
Key among those, Emily adds, are the unlikely bedfellows of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, and Germany's far-right AfD (Alternative für Deutschland).
“The AfD are slightly Nazi adjacent, and have been great friends with Trump, Musk and Vance over the years," Emily says.
"They have come out and called for the withdrawal of all US soldiers from the country."
"Pedro Sanchez has said Spain doesn't want Trump anywhere near it, it is not in any shape or form part of this attack on Iran."
Europe, she adds, is starting to "know its mind on this".
If Trump is aware of what's going on, he won't forget it in a hurry, with Jon Sopel describing him as a man who "nurtures his grievances lovingly."
"Europe is saying, very loudly, this isn't our war," Lewis adds.
"Everyone can see that Europe and America are no longer as one."