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Author and podcaster Bill O’Reilly said on Monday that President Donald Trump has narrowed his options in the war with Iran as casualties rise and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz drives up oil and gasoline prices.
Casualties And Hormuz Disruptions Raise Pressure
O’Reilly told NewsNation’s "On Balance" that Americans have little tolerance for military losses. "That makes it very difficult for a president to wage any kind of conflict. So he is almost trapped in what he can do," he said.
The Associated Press reported on Monday that nearly 100 U.S. service members have been injured since hostilities resumed on July 7, while three troops were killed in attacks in Jordan and Iraq.
Shipping has slowed sharply. Reuters reported that only nine vessels crossed the strait on one recent day, with no very large crude carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers recorded. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the waterway normally carries about one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption.
The disruption pushed the national gasoline average to roughly $4 a gallon and briefly sent Brent crude above $90.
Trump Leans On Economic Pressure Campaign
O’Reilly said Trump appears to be relying on economic pressure rather than direct attacks on civilians. "We’re going to make it so difficult for them to function day to day, they’ll demand that the mullahs stop the madness," he said. He added that outsiders do not know the extent of Iranian suffering.
He also argued that military officials may be withholding unfavorable information because "they don’t want the loser tag."
Benzinga reached out to the White House for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.
Airstrikes Fail To Restore Strait Traffic
The Trump administration says its strikes target Iranian military infrastructure and seek to restore freedom of navigation. Trump has said operations could continue into next week while saving energy targets for last, a position reflected in coverage of rising oil-market risks.
AP reported, however, that intensified airstrikes have not ended Iran’s resistance or restored normal traffic through Hormuz. That leaves Trump under pressure to explain how continued military action would produce either a settlement or a durable reopening of the strait.
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This article Bill O'Reilly Says Trump Is ‘Almost Trapped’ in Iran War as Americans Refuse To Accept Casualties and Hormuz Disruption Drives Gas Above $4 originally appeared on Benzinga.com.
