Trump pulls back from the brink... but for how long?

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Apr 8, 2026

Tense talk on threats against Iran and how those threats led to a fragile two week ceasefire. Discussion of who in the Republican sphere is pushing back and what that means for political stability. A look at Trump’s talk of charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider strategic uncertainty about uranium, regional influence and US options going forward.

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INSIGHT

Bluff And Backdown Defined The Crisis

Donald Trump threatened to "decimate" Iran's infrastructure and civilisation but then suspended the attack, showing brinkmanship followed by a retreat.
Sarah Smith and Justin Webb note the rhetoric sounded genocidal yet Trump appeared to seek an off-ramp rather than actually carry it out.

INSIGHT

Ceasefire Restored Shipping But Questions Remain

The ceasefire reopened the Strait of Hormuz and eased immediate tensions, which Trump framed as a short-term success.
Anthony Zurcher notes Iran agreed to open the strait and a two-week ceasefire despite earlier resistance.

INSIGHT

Trump Suggested Charging Tolls In The Strait Of Hormuz

Trump floated a joint US-Iran toll on ships through the Strait of Hormuz, reframing an international waterway into a potential revenue source.
Justin Webb highlighted a Jonathan Karl exchange where Trump called it "a joint US-Iran venture" to charge tolls.

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Donald Trump’s MAGA base - and the Republican party - are divided over his threats to wipe out an entire civilisation. In this episode, Justin, Anthony and Sarah unpack how we got from Trump’s annihilistic threats to the start of a two week ceasefire and new claims from the US president, that Iran will stop enriching uranium.

With both sides claiming victory, what are Donald Trump’s options now for ending the war, and how big a factor is keeping the support of his MAGA Republican base? With several prominent influencers and MAGA supporters speaking out against Trump, and the war, the Americast team look at who Trump is listening to in the Republican party, and what influences him.

We also look at the bigger issues around what happens now with the Strait of Hormuz and reports that Trump has also suggested the US could impose its own tolls on vessels in transit through the channel.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

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This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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