War on its 17th day: Trump waves "imminent victory" as Europe fears ambiguity of targets

 The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has entered its third week amid conflicting reports, as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks of "constant contacts" and strikes that have "decimated" Iran's capabilities, European capitals are pushing for clear answers on the ultimate political goal of this war, at a time when oil prices are jumping above the $100 barrier per barrel.

"Behind the Scenes" Diplomacy and Iranian Exile

President Trump, on board the presidential plane, revealed that there are attempts to communicate with Tehran, noting that the Iranians are "getting closer" to understanding the new reality, although he doubts their readiness to conclude a final agreement at this time.

On the other hand, Iran's response came decisively in the words of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who denied in an interview with CBS that there were any negotiations, stressing that "Iran is stable and strong," and that the current language of bayonets negates the usefulness of dialogue.

European Concern: A War Without a 'Road Map'

Behind the closed doors of the G7, there is anxiety, as Bloomberg reported that European leaders confronted Trump with direct questions about the "end goal," and the European concerns boil down to two points:

 Ambiguity of the goal: Is the goal only to destroy military capabilities, regime change, or impose a new nuclear deal?

 Economic repercussions: With navigation disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, Europeans fear a long-term global energy crisis.

European observers say Washington's  rush to talk that the campaign is "ahead of schedule" could be a political prelude to declaring a "quick victory" and avoiding a war of attrition that Trump does not want.

The "Hormuz Alliance": Internationalizing the Conflict to Secure Oil

On the ground level, Axios revealed a US move to form an international coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force, and Trump's logic in this is based on the fact that the countries that benefit from the Gulf oil (such as China, Japan, and South Korea) should bear the bill for its security, not only Washington.

The Navigation Complex and the Chinese Role

As Washington tries to rally its allies, China is emerging as an exceptional player, with data suggesting that Tehran has successfully exported about 11.7 million barrels of oil to Beijing since the war broke out on Feb. 28, leaving China uneager to engage in a military alliance that could cut off its ongoing supplies.