The Wall Street Journal's conservative editorial board has expressed skepticism regarding President Donald Trump's recent shift in approach to the conflict with Iran. The editorial, headlined "Trump’s Latest Iran ‘DEAL’," noted the president's transition from threatening military escalation to pursuing a potential agreement with the Iranian regime.
The board opened its commentary with a sarcastic remark, suggesting Trump might deserve a Nobel Peace Prize for "ending the Iran war eight times" and questioning if the ninth attempt would be successful. This critique references Trump's previous aggressive rhetoric and the subsequent de-escalation.
The editorial cited a Saudi Arabian state news report indicating that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had urged Trump to stand down. This intervention, according to the report, stemmed from fears that Saudi facilities could become targets of Iranian retaliation. If this account is accurate, the Journal argued, it suggests Iran holds "escalation dominance" in the conflict. The board also contended that the Iranian regime perceives "signals of weakness" from the United States and recognizes that the ongoing conflict is detrimental to Trump's political standing domestically.