The Monocle Daily Donald Trump threatens to wipe out Iran
Apr 7, 2026
Damien van Pijveld, historian of France's DGSE; James Rogers, international journalism and Russia specialist; Tina Fordham, geopolitical strategist for business leaders. They debate Donald Trump’s apocalyptic warnings to Iran and the real risk of catastrophic escalation. They assess Iran’s strategic resilience and military options. They also weigh foreign meddling in Hungary, Russian internet blackouts, and the DGSE’s covert past.
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Apocalyptic Rhetoric Raises Real Escalation Risks
- Donald Trump's apocalyptic tweets about Iran risk normalising extreme rhetoric and could amount to threats of genocide or nuclear escalation.
- Tina Fordham and James Rogers note the language is unprecedentedly blunt and hard to climb down from, increasing global alarm.
Iran May Gain Strategic Leverage Over Hormuz
- Iran has retained operational control and may even emerge stronger by leveraging Strait of Hormuz control and missile capabilities.
- Tina Fordham suggests Iran could charge tolls on shipping and recover strategic posture despite damage.
Domestic Politics Constrain US War Options
- US public support for a war in Iran tracks President Trump's approval and is generally low, with ground troops especially unpopular.
- Tina Fordham notes Democrats are also politically weak, complicating domestic pressures on war decisions.
