Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Donald Trump's Least Bad Option in Iran Is a Deal
President Donald Trump fought a war with a country called Iran.
The war cost America a lot of money and caused many problems.
Now, the best thing America can do is make a deal with Iran.
America wants Iran to reopen the strait so ships can pass through again.
In exchange, Iran would agree to a long break from fighting, called a ceasefire.
America might also give Iran money or other helpful things to make the deal work.
The deal would not be perfect, and it would be a little embarrassing for America.
But it is still a better choice than any other option America has.
America will also keep its weapons ready in case the deal goes wrong.
Analysts argue Donald Trump must now make a deal with Iran, because his war on Iran has cost America dearly.
Trump tore up the 2015 nuclear deal Barack Obama had struck to restrain Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The best hoped-for outcome is a makeshift pact to reopen the strait in exchange for an extended, possibly permanent, ceasefire.
Economic sweeteners will be necessary, and the threat of force will remain under any agreement.
The deal would be unstable and humiliating for America, but it is considered less bad than any plausible alternative.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and Iran; Barack Obama is referenced for the 2015 nuclear deal he struck.
- What
- America needs a makeshift pact with Iran to reopen the strait in exchange for an extended, possibly permanent, ceasefire after a costly war.
- When
- Not specified in the article; the analysis follows Trump tearing up the 2015 nuclear deal and a US war on Iran.
- Where
- The strait, which needs reopening, plus Washington, where Trump planned to erect a triumphal arch.
- Why
- The war has cost America dearly, and a deal is considered less bad than any plausible alternative.
Deal pragmatists
Deal sceptics
Accepting a deal with Iran
Deal pragmatists
A makeshift pact reopening the strait for an extended ceasefire is America's least bad option.
Deal sceptics
The deal would be unstable and humiliating for America, and the threat of force must remain.
Standard for an acceptable outcome
Deal pragmatists
Anything as good as the pre-war status quo or the 2015 nuclear deal is no longer achievable.
Deal sceptics
Compared with what America previously secured, any deal now on offer would be humiliating.
- Key actors
- Donald Trump, Iran (Barack Obama referenced for the 2015 deal)
- Core issue
- America must make a deal with Iran to reopen the strait
- Deal components
- Reopened strait, extended (possibly permanent) ceasefire, economic sweeteners
- Red lines
- Threat of force remains; haggling over Iran's nuclear programme deferred
- Assessment
- Unstable and humiliating for America, but less bad than any plausible alternative
- Context
- Trump tore up Obama's 2015 nuclear deal; the war has cost America dearly
- Trump's plan
- Erect a triumphal arch in Washington