Iran’s Escalation Trap | US News

US News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 30, 2026 · 1m

Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz is tighter than ever, says political scientist Robert Pape, turning the U.S. into a pawn in a “wicked escalation trap.” Despite American muscle, Iran’s survival in recent conflicts has given it leverage—small disruptions now threaten global oil prices and markets. With Lebanon simmering as a new flashpoint and Trump’s political clock ticking, the U.S. can’t afford war, but can’t back down either. Pape warns Iran’s goal is power, not profit, and its influence will only grow as oil reserves dwindle—potentially reshaping global energy for years. Listen in…