Steve Forbes has stressed the urgency for the United States to intensify its efforts in dismantling the regime in Tehran, emphasizing that ensuring the unhindered flow of trade through the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical American objective that should not be compromised.
As tensions with Iran escalate, marked by the U.S.’s continued military actions targeting the region for the ninth consecutive day as of Sunday, the question of America’s unwavering stance against Iran is more pertinent than ever. During Freedom Fest in Las Vegas, Forbes, the influential chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes and a past presidential contender, provided his insights to News Media, dissecting the Trump administration’s foreign strategy towards Iran.
Forbes Media’s Steve Forbes foresees challenges ahead for the U.S. after the release of the latest Consumer Price Index data and new Environmental Protection Agency mandates on gasoline vehicles. (Fox News)
“Tracing back to Thomas Jefferson’s era, a fundamental aspect of U.S. foreign policy has been the protection of maritime freedom. Our commitment to this principle even drew us into the War of 1812 against Great Britain,” Forbes remarked.
“The United States has upheld this doctrine for over two centuries. The Strait of Hormuz, much like the South China Sea, is recognized as international waters, and it is imperative that we keep those passageways unobstructed.”
August 1804: Tracers arc in the sky as ships of the U.S. navy bombard Tripoli in an action against a ruler who supported the Tripolitan (Barbary) pirates. The pirates demanded protection money from all ships and the USA decided to go to war to release their hold on the area. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images)
“No tolls, no restrictions, all ships of commerce should have free passage through it unmolested.”
Forbes said that with proper application of air power, boots on the ground wouldn’t be needed, but he would not discard that as an option, bringing the example of the engagement with the Barbary pirates, which brought freedom of navigation to the Mediterranean following the completion of the First Barbary War of 1805.
The U.S. military has been enforcing a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, even during the ceasefire. (U.S. Central Command)
“If we do things right in the air, that won’t be necessary. But as we demonstrated with the Barbary pirates, sometimes you do need hand-to-hand combat. But again, with our great military and the great Israeli military, we should be able to bring this evil regime down and enable the elements in the Iranian army that want change to feel we’re not going to pull the rug out from under them with another fake ceasefire. That we keep hammering away at this evil regime.”
A container ship, right, and a cargo vessel are seen in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)
Ultimately, Forbes said freedom of navigation should be an international red line:
“So the key thing is if you don’t enforce these key principles of freedom of navigation, liberty, you’re going to lose them. Ronald Reagan was right. Others have made the same observation. You have to preserve liberty each and every generation.”
President Ronald Reagan giving speech in the Oval Office of the White House, re Nicaraguan Contra aid. (Diana Walker/Getty Images)
Forbes said that the time for diplomacy with Tehran has passed, and encouraged the Trump administration to ratchet up the pressure, while also praising a recent decision on Ukraine policy.
“Get Iran done with. No more fake ceasefires. Get rid of that evil regime. By the way, I’m delighted that he’s saying he’s going to give licensing for Patriot missiles to Ukraine. That’ll bring a good result there.”