This Is What Trump’s ‘Tremendous Success’ Looks Like
Published in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
(Germany) on 5 July 2026
by Nikolas Busse (link to
original)
There is not a lot now that can happen in the Gulf against Iran’s will. The regime is already promising China special provisions for transit.
Part of the “tremendous military success” that the Americans have achieved in the war against Iran, according to Donald Trump, is that Tehran can proceed with its plans for long-term control over the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the regime is even letting it be known that its partners, including China, can expect special treatment regarding tolls for passing through the strategic waterway. Accordingly, everyone else would have to pay (more) for a trip that, it should be noted, was free before Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s attack.
The last word probably still hasn’t been spoken; negotiations between Washington and Tehran are still underway. But Trump doesn’t have many trump cards in his hand. The military standstill is forcing him to pay the Iranians a steep price for every concession they make at the negotiating table.
Oman Often Gets Forgotten
That is why much shouldn't be expected either from the British-French efforts that are now focused on Oman. The strait’s other landlord may often get forgotten in the geopolitical equation. But the small sultanate is weak; it traditionally weathers storms in the region by playing a mediating role.
It seems rather unlikely that the British and French will achieve something militarily that Trump could not. Given that Emmanuel Macron has yet again had an aircraft carrier withdrawn, that also doesn’t seem to be the goal. The Europeans are also having to confront the new, Trump-made reality: There is not a lot now that can happen in the Gulf against Iran’s will.
Part of the “tremendous military success” that the Americans have achieved in the war against Iran, according to Donald Trump, is that Tehran can proceed with its plans for long-term control over the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the regime is even letting it be known that its partners, including China, can expect special treatment regarding tolls for passing through the strategic waterway. Accordingly, everyone else would have to pay (more) for a trip that, it should be noted, was free before Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s attack.
The last word probably still hasn’t been spoken; negotiations between Washington and Tehran are still underway. But Trump doesn’t have many trump cards in his hand. The military standstill is forcing him to pay the Iranians a steep price for every concession they make at the negotiating table.
Oman Often Gets Forgotten
That is why much shouldn't be expected either from the British-French efforts that are now focused on Oman. The strait’s other landlord may often get forgotten in the geopolitical equation. But the small sultanate is weak; it traditionally weathers storms in the region by playing a mediating role.
It seems rather unlikely that the British and French will achieve something militarily that Trump could not. Given that Emmanuel Macron has yet again had an aircraft carrier withdrawn, that also doesn’t seem to be the goal. The Europeans are also having to confront the new, Trump-made reality: There is not a lot now that can happen in the Gulf against Iran’s will.
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