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Iran War Cost Tracker — First Week Cost $11.3 Billion
The Pentagon told Congress the first week of the Iran war cost $11.3 billion. Track the running total in real time.iran-cost-ticker.com
Iran is counting on the left to derail Trump, and is attempting to wait out the USA in this conflict.
The USA countering Iran's selective blockade of the straight of Hormuz is a good strategy as per Victor Davis Hanson
USA can win this, if it has the stamina
‘Paper Tiger’ Exposed: Victor Davis Hanson on Trump’s Strategy Crushing Iran
The Daily Signal
Apr 16, 2026 #DailySignal
The Iranian regime is banking that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will:
Tank the world economy.
Propel Democrats back into power in 2026.
That would work, if not for the fact that Iranian allies, like China, are the ones being severely hurt by closure, and the Iranian economy has no way to survive embargo-like conditions, argues Victor Davis Hanson on this week’s “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words”:
“[Iran] has counted on the Left to embolden them. So their strategy is to indulge in accrued stereotypes of the Middle East. They want to do a rug deal. And they want to barter and barter and barter and feign anger.
“And they want to draw that out for three to four to five months. And they want the world economy, and then they want the Left to come in and take the House and take the Senate and cut off funds and stop the war.
“I don't think that's going to happen. That's their strategy. But what he's trying to argue is that strategy requires a quiet population that can be intimidated, as it is now, but permanently so, and it requires some economic viability to survive. And they already can't afford food, they can't afford gas, they're under attack, they've lost probably half a trillion dollars in weapons and infrastructure that was accrued over 47 years.
In this episode, Victor Davis Hanson discusses the asymmetrical economic war between the United States and Iran, arguing that the Iranian regime's strategy is failing. Key points include:
- Economic Collapse: Iran is facing severe economic distress, with daily losses estimated at over $435 million due to US-led blockades (0:36-0:56). The regime lacks the infrastructure, storage capacity, and diversified ports to maintain oil exports effectively (2:46-3:27).
- The 'Strait of Hormuz' Strategy: Iran’s attempt to use the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage is characterized as a tactical miscalculation (1:08-1:35). The US has effectively turned the blockade against them, allowing only anti-Iranian entities to source oil from elsewhere, further isolating the regime (2:03-2:39).
- Political Miscalculations: Hanson explains that the Iranian regime is banking on the US Left to gain power in 2026 and force a cessation of hostilities (5:15-6:00). However, he argues this strategy is unsustainable because it requires a quiet, intimidated population and economic viability, both of which are rapidly eroding (6:01-6:35).
- Regime Vulnerability: The loss of significant military assets and infrastructure—accrued over 47 years—has left the regime humiliated and viewed as a 'paper tiger' by its own people, which Hanson suggests is fatal to a dictatorship (6:35-7:16).
- US Military Capabilities: Hanson emphasizes that the US maintains the decisive military 'wherewithal' to neutralize Iranian naval threats, such as small patrol boats or missile launches, ensuring that the US holds the initiative in adjudicating the conflict (1:41-2:02, 7:58-8:37).
Does this mean the regime will be throwing in the towel soon?

They're not yet defeated, counting on the USA will to give in.
USA has to successful enforce the economic blockade, Iranian reportedly can only storage about another 12-13 days of oil - then they need to start shutting down oil wells.
Restarting an oil well will be costly.
Clinton, Obama in the past hit opponents energy infrastructure ( dual use ) .. so USA may need to follow up ..
Problem is the Iranians are doing really well with those Lego movies and killing the USA with their allies ( your enemy is our enemy ).
Democrats and other opponents of Trump do not want Trump to win this one. Midterms coming up and a Trump win, even if good for America is bad for the Democrats.
And, while I really dislike aspects of Trump, the USA really needs a win on this one
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