John Hinderaker, president of the Center of the American Experiment, urged President Donald Trump to use military force and bomb Iran [1].
The call for direct military action comes amid ongoing tensions regarding shipping harassment in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global transit point. Hinderaker's position suggests a shift away from diplomatic efforts toward a policy of immediate retaliation.
Speaking with Sky News Australia, Hinderaker described the current state of U.S.-Iran relations as a "complete mess" [1]. He said that negotiations with the Iranian regime are pointless [1].
According to Hinderaker, previous military actions were a success, but he said President Trump remained determined to make a deal with the regime for unspecified reasons [1]. He argued that the U.S. should abandon this approach in favor of a more aggressive stance.
"Every time they harass shipping in the Strait, Trump should bomb," Hinderaker said [1].
He believes that diplomatic engagement is ineffective and that Iran's actions against maritime traffic warrant direct military responses [1]. Hinderaker's remarks reflect a broader debate within U.S. foreign policy circles regarding the efficacy of "maximum pressure," and diplomatic negotiation with Tehran [1].
“"The situation is a complete mess."”
This call for military escalation highlights the internal pressure on the U.S. administration to move from economic sanctions to kinetic action. By advocating for bombing in response to shipping harassment, Hinderaker is pushing for a deterrence strategy based on immediate cost-imposition rather than the long-term goal of a negotiated diplomatic settlement.
