Cut a deal or walk away from Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 8, 2026
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—After Iran and the U.S. traded strikes overnight following attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump said that the ceasefire was over. Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, issued the following statement in response:

“Ending the ceasefire with Iran over skirmishes in Hormuz would be missing the forest for the trees—and Trump must not make that mistake. The war with Iran does not and never has served U.S. interests. It has cost U.S. lives, wasted U.S. treasure, and sapped U.S. military power, all while strengthening Iran by demonstrating its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.

“When will President Trump figure out what Americans already know—that war with Iran isn’t worth it?

“Trump fashions himself a dealmaker. Now is the time to show it by either reaching a durable settlement with Iran to restore the flow of oil, or failing that, walking away so at least he does no further harm.”

Author

Rosemary
Kelanic

Director, Middle East Program

Defense Priorities