US Advisor Says Time to Declare Victory and Reduce Tensions with Iran

David Sacks, special advisor on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies to Donald Trump, stated that it is now 'an appropriate time to declare victory and exit the war.'

In an interview on a podcast, Sacks said the United States has weakened Iran's military capabilities but emphasized the need to seek ways to reduce tensions. He added: 'If escalation does not lead to a good outcome, we should think about how to de-escalate. De-escalation can occur through a ceasefire or a negotiated agreement with Iran.'

The United States and Israel began widespread attacks against Iran on February 28. Iran and its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon responded with attacks on Israel and other points in the Middle East. Iran's representative to the United Nations stated that more than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran as a result of the US and Israeli attacks. Israeli officials said at least 12 people have been killed in Israel from Iranian attacks. The US Army announced that seven of its soldiers have also been killed in the clashes.

The war has impacted global markets, driving up oil prices. The United States issued a 30-day waiver allowing countries to purchase Russian oil products currently at sea despite sanctions, aiming to lower oil and gas prices amid the conflict. However, Brent crude oil reached $101 per barrel by 10:00 GMT on Friday, with Asian stock indices under pressure.

The Israeli army announced attacks across Tehran and continued strikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, including in Beirut. Iranian media reported explosions and warplanes heard in Tehran and Karj, west of the capital, amid gatherings for Quds Day in support of Palestinians.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday it targeted the Safesea Vishnu tanker, linked to a US company and sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, in the northern Strait of Hormuz after it ignored repeated Iranian warnings. The IRGC warned of increasing risks in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, blaming the United States and urging commercial ships to follow Iranian maritime regulations.

Iran announced on March 2 that it was closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to ongoing US and Israeli military operations. Ongoing US and Israeli airstrikes since February 28 have reportedly caused around 1,300 deaths and over 10,000 wounded in Iran, according to Iranian officials. Tehran has responded with drone and missile attacks on Israeli territory, parts of Iraq, and Gulf states hosting US bases.