Six-month war raises U.S. munitions and readiness concerns
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said this week it is shifting its Iran strategy from military action to economic pressure as the U.S.-Israel war reaches the six-month mark, a notable milestone for a conflict President Donald Trump had repeatedly assured Americans would be a “little excursion” lasting a matter of weeks, The Associated Press reported.
The pivot arrives at what AP described as an awkward moment for Trump’s presidency, according to the wire service. The war is not over, though Trump claims that through bombs and blockade he has already devastated Iran’s leadership, military and economy.
The shift centers on threats to punish any country or entity that continues to conduct business with Tehran, AP reported. The administration framed the new approach as an effort to finish off Iran through economic pressure rather than additional military action.
The pivot to using sanctions as what AP described as the “cudgel of choice” comes as the administration weighs diminished U.S. munitions stockpiles after months of war. That consideration has sparked concerns that the prolonged conflict could undermine U.S. military readiness in other parts of the globe, according to AP.
The shift to sanctions comes at the six-month mark in a war Trump had said would be brief.