Iran after the midterms: Which decision will President Trump choose to make? - opinion

Jacob Nagel analyzes President Donald Trump's options regarding Iran after the US midterm elections, reviewing the collapse of a June 2026 MoU and the subsequent Israeli-American campaign. Nagel advocates for a maximum-pressure campaign and dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program, but notes uncertainty about Trump's decision.

Jacob Nagel, writing in The Jerusalem Post, analyzes President Donald Trump's decision-making regarding Iran following the US midterm elections. The article reviews the collapse of a June 2026 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran, which Nagel describes as 'hollow and problematic.' It details the Israeli-American campaign that damaged Iran's nuclear, ballistic-missile, and drone infrastructure, and Iran's subsequent use of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage. Nagel describes Trump's frustration and the two options presented by military commanders: continued economic pressure with a blockade, or a broad war including ground forces. The author advocates for a maximum-pressure campaign and the complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program, but notes uncertainty about Trump's final decision. The framing relies on assertive advocacy without sourcing counterarguments.