WASHINGTON — On the 11th day of “Operation Epic Fury,” the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, President Donald Trump’s oscillating messaging has created a “dizzying” environment for global markets. After a Monday morning that saw oil touch $120 a barrel, the President’s afternoon “speed-dialing” campaign managed to pull prices back below $90, even as his own administration offered contradictory views on the war’s endgame.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The “Mission Accomplished” vs. “Just Begun” Paradox
The confusion centers on whether the U.S. is looking for an exit ramp or a ramp-up:
- The Optimist: To CBS News, Trump declared the war “very complete, pretty much,” claiming the U.S. is “very far ahead of schedule.” He described the conflict as a “short-term excursion” to get rid of “some evil.”
- The War Hawk: By evening, the tone shifted. Trump warned he would hit Iran “TWENTY TIMES HARDER” if they continued to block the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to make it “virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back.”
- The Pentagon: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to undercut the President’s “complete” assessment, stating the U.S. has “only just begun” the phase of the campaign involving 2,000-pound gravity bombs on military targets.
Economic “Fever Dreams”
The economic toll of the conflict is no longer a theoretical risk; it is a lived reality for American voters:
- Gasoline Shock: The U.S. national average has hit $3.48 per gallon, a nearly 50-cent jump in seven days. Trump has dismissed this as a “short-term spin-off,” promising that “in the long run, oil supplies will be dramatically more secure.”
- The Jobs Slump: The timing is precarious. Last Friday’s BLS report revealed a loss of 92,000 jobs in February, with unemployment rising to 4.4%.
- Sanction Waivers: In a surprise move to curb prices, Trump announced he would temporarily waive certain oil-related sanctions (including on Russia and for buyers like India) until the situation “straightens out.”
The Political Gamble: November 2026
- The Georgia Bellwether: In northern Georgia’s special election today, the “Iran War” has become the defining issue. Voters like Angie, a retired nurse, expressed a common sentiment: “I understand they needed help, but couldn’t we have found another way?”
- The Leadership Gap: The assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not yet led to the “regime change” some in the administration hoped for. Instead, his son Mojtaba Khamenei has taken the reins, signaling a potential for prolonged resistance rather than a swift collapse.
Comparison of Key Indicators (March 2026)
| Metric | Pre-War (Feb 27) | Current (March 10) | Impact |
| Oil (Brent) | $78.00 | $92.45 (Peak $120) | High Volatility |
| Gas (Avg/Gal) | $3.00 | $3.48 | +16% in 11 days |
| Unemployment | 4.1% | 4.4% | 92k jobs lost in Feb |
| Strait of Hormuz | Open | Effectively Closed | 20% global oil blocked |
