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Herfried Münkler on Trump's Miscalculation of Iran's Strategic Capabilities

opinion-review · 2026-07-14

Herfried Münkler argues that Donald Trump has completely underestimated Iran's strategic capabilities, turning the deal into a disaster. The article discusses the emergence of on-off conflicts, where the precise distinction between war and peace is becoming obsolete. Protests against Trump occurred at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral in Tehran, alongside a US attack on a port city near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's bluffing strategy, typical of a dealmaker, backfired by provoking reactions that destabilized his own position.

Key facts

  • Donald Trump underestimated Iran's strategic capabilities.
  • The deal between the US and Iran is described as a disaster.
  • Protests against Trump took place at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral in Tehran.
  • A US attack targeted a port city near the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The article questions if the clear separation between war and peace is becoming obsolete.
  • Trump's bluffing strategy is characteristic of a dealmaker.
  • Bluffing involves creating an impression of having more leverage than one actually possesses.
  • The article is authored by Herfried Münkler.

Entities

Institutions

  • Süddeutsche Zeitung

Locations

  • Tehran
  • Iran
  • Strait of Hormus

Sources