Susie Wiles Tackles Trump’s Complex Iran Strategy: A Three-Front Challenge

Donald Trump’s shifting stance on his conflict with Iran is reportedly being influenced by an intense internal struggle among key advisors at the White House and influential figures within his support base, according to insiders.

Recently, the Trump administration has put forth mixed messages regarding the situation’s progress. While Trump announced earlier this week that the U.S. has “already won,” Pete Hegseth countered by stating, “This is only the beginning.”

Sources suggest that the inconsistent communications from the White House are a result of internal factions vying for Trump’s attention. Some close advisors are cautioning that the conflict could politically harm the president as the midterm elections approach.

Reportedly, Vice President JD Vance and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles are leading the charge within the administration, advising Trump to limit the scope of the campaign and exit swiftly. They warn that turmoil in the Middle East could drive up gas prices, potentially undermining their domestic economic narrative.

On the other hand, a faction of hawkish Republicans is urging a more aggressive stance against Iran, nudging Trump away from his previous campaign promises to steer clear of foreign military engagements.

A third, isolationist faction among Trump’s base has also emerged, with commentators such as Tucker Carlson pressing Trump to avoid the war entirely. 

Uncertainty surrounding Trump’s plans for the war and the length of his campaign has already upended global oil and energy markets. 

Yet the president appears willing to abruptly change his timeline for the future of the war, telling a campaign rally in Kentucky on Wednesday: ‘We won… but we don’t want to leave early, do we? We’ve got to finish the job.’ 

Donald Trump’s changing narratives around his conflict with Iran have been driven by a complex tug-of-war among top aides in the White House and leading figures in his base, insiders say

Trump seen with Susie Wiles in the Situation Room at Mar-a-Lago as the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28

Wrangling over Trump’s plans for the war comes as the White House has repeatedly rebuffed efforts by its Middle Eastern allies to negotiate a ceasefire between the US and Iran. 

A source close to Trump told Reuters that Oman had tried to offer itself as a mediator, but the president is ‘not interested in that right now.’ 

‘We’re going to continue with the mission unabated. Maybe there’s a day, but not right now,’ they said. 

Insiders also told the outlet that top Trump advisers, including from the Treasury Department and the National Economic Council, have warned that potential domestic support for the ongoing war hinges on its impact on oil prices. 

Wiles is leading the push to walk Trump down from all-out war, sources claimed, saying that she fears it could result in a bloodbath for Republicans at the midterms in November. 

The chief of staff and her deputy, James Blair, have reportedly urged Trump to define what victory in the war looks like, and signal to the public it is a limited operation that will not go on indefinitely. 

Opposing voices in Trump’s ear include Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton, who argue that the US must obliterate Iran’s military and prevent it from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. 

Insiders said Trump is trying to walk the line between the warring factions in his ear and believes he can appease them all while focusing on the conflict. 

‘He is allowing the hawks to believe the campaign continues, wants markets to believe the war might end soon and his base to believe escalation will be limited,’ a Trump adviser told Reuters.

In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump addressed the ongoing hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, and again offered contradictory assessments of the damage done to Iran’s military, saying that it was both wiped out and that it remains a threat to neighboring countries

Marco Rubio listens to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in a White House meeting on March 6 

Iran has shut the Strait of Hormuz (pictured), through which a fifth of the world’s oil flows, sending prices soaring more than 10 percent in a single week, with Brent crude jumping from $72 to over $82 a barrel

On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump underestimated the impact of the war and believed it was unlikely Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow corridor through the Middle East where 20 percent of the world’s crude oil passes. 

In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump addressed the ongoing hostilities in the Strait, which has seen Iran effectively close the waterway and threaten to sink any ships sailing through it. 

Trump said he was defying the warnings from Tehran, writing: ‘Many countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending war ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the strait open and safe.’ 

The president again offered contradictory assessments of the damage done to Iran’s military, saying that it was both wiped out and that it remains a threat to neighboring countries. 

‘We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are,’ Trump wrote. 

Trump concluded that ‘in the meantime’, he would ‘be bombing the hell out of the shoreline and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water.’ 

Nervous aides close to the president have reportedly been attempting to define a conclusion that Trump can call a victory, even if Iran continues to be defiant. 

Vice President JD Vance has been publicly supportive of the war with Iran, but insiders reportedly say he has privately voiced opposition to the conflict 

Asked by Fox News host Brian Kilmeade this week how he will ‘know when the war is over’, Trump offered a noncommittal response, saying it all comes down to him. 

‘When I feel it,’ he said. ‘When I feel it in my bones.’ 

Kilmeade then referenced reports that Vance has privately voiced disapproval over the war, to which Trump said he lets them ‘speak their mind.’ 

‘And we have some differences, but they never end up being much,’ Trump said. ‘I convince them all to do it my way.’ 

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the claims Trump is being pulled in various directions saying they are ‘based on gossip and speculation from anonymous sources who aren’t even in the room for any discussions with President Trump.’ 

‘The President is known for being a good listener and seeking the opinions of many people, but ultimately everyone knows he’s the final decision maker and his own best messenger,’ she said.

‘The President’s entire team is focused on ensuring the objectives of Operation Epic Fury are fully achieved.’