Trump's Iran gamble: End the war or ignite the region?

US President Donald Trump is considering resuming a multi-day military campaign against Iran, betting that sanctions and a naval blockade have pushed Tehran's economy to the brink of collapse. The potential strikes could force Iran to capitulate or trigger a wider regional escalation beyond Washington's control. Trump is weighing two approaches from close advisors: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advocates continued economic strangulation to force negotiations, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for devastating joint strikes to topple the regime. The administration may combine both strategies, with strikes likely delayed until after the US midterm elections. Iran has shown no major shift in its negotiating position despite economic hardship, and analysts warn that a short war cannot be planned unilaterally. Tehran has threatened to target undersea fiber-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz and use new weapons, while oil prices have already spiked on escalation fears.