For nearly half a century, the United States and Iran have existed in a cycle of confrontation that began with the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis during the presidency of Jimmy Carter. Since that time, relations between the two countries have largely been defined by sanctions, proxy conflicts, and geopolitical rivalry rather than diplomacy.
In practical terms, the United States and Iran have lived in what many analysts describe as a long-running war for more than four decades. At the same time, the United States has remained locked in a standoff with North Korea that dates back even further to the Korean War armistice of 1953, which never formally ended in a peace treaty.
Against this historical backdrop, President Donald Trump has pursued a diplomatic approach few American presidents have been willing to attempt: offering to meet directly with adversaries.
Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to meet face-to-face with a North Korean leader and has repeatedly stated that he is willing to sit down with any world leader—friend or adversary—if diplomacy can reduce conflict and promote stability. In a world exhausted by endless conflict, the willingness to talk has become one of the most powerful tools of modern diplomacy.
Today, the possibility of peace and trade normalization in the Middle East including Iran represents one of the most consequential diplomatic opportunities of the modern era.
War Fatigue After Two Decades of Conflict
After more than twenty years of military engagements across the Middle East and Central Asia, Americans across the political spectrum are increasingly weary of prolonged foreign wars and “boots on the ground” deployments.
Under several administrations Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Biden have been involved in ongoing wars, military operations and conflicts in numerous regions including: 1) Afghanistan 2) Iraq 3) Syria 4) Libya 5) Yemen and 6) Pakistan
These conflicts imposed enormous financial and human costs on the United States. Trillions of dollars were spent overseas while many Americans increasingly question whether endless foreign interventions truly enhance national security.
Public sentiment has shifted toward diplomacy, stability, and economic development rather than perpetual conflict.
The Nature of Warfare Has Changed
Recent conflicts have also shown that warfare itself has evolved dramatically. The war between Russia and Ukraine illustrates that modern conflict is increasingly defined by high-technology systems rather than traditional large-scale troop deployments.
Today’s battlefields revolve around drones and unmanned systems, precision missiles, cyber warfare, satellite intelligence, electronic warfare, and control of the airspace.
Modern war increasingly resembles high-tech target practice in the skies and digital space rather than traditional ground combat. Because escalation can occur rapidly with advanced technology, diplomatic solutions and conflict prevention have become even more important.
Iran’s Strategic Position
Iran occupies one of the most important geographic positions in the world economy. Located between the Persian Gulf, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and South Asia, Iran sits along key trade routes linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Iran also holds some of the largest oil and natural gas reserves on Earth. If peace allowed Iran to participate more fully in global energy markets, increased supply could help stabilize global energy prices and reduce inflationary pressures worldwide.
Lower energy costs ripple through the entire global economy, lowering transportation costs, reducing manufacturing expenses, and increasing disposable income for families.
The Strait of Hormuz
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum passes through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow maritime corridor between Iran and Oman. Whenever tensions rise in this region, global markets react immediately. 1) Energy prices spike. 2) Shipping insurance costs increase. 3) Supply chains become uncertain. Further, Trump is actually a genius to insert the former OPIC and now DFC to insure oil and gas movements through Hormuz which takes the financial risk off of oil transport.
A peaceful diplomatic relationship between the United States and Iran would dramatically reduce the risk of disruptions in this critical energy corridor.
Sovereign Risk & Global Markets
Financial markets constantly evaluate geopolitical risk. Regions associated with long-term conflict often experience reduced investment, volatile markets, and higher borrowing costs. Peace with Iran would reduce one of the most persistent geopolitical flashpoints in the modern world.
Lower geopolitical risk historically leads to: 1) stronger investment flows 2) lower shipping insurance costs 3) expanded infrastructure investment 4) greater stability in energy and commodity markets 5) free movement of people and services and communication. When tensions decline, markets tend to rise.
Regional Responsibility for Peace
Another important development in the Middle East is the growing economic strength of several regional nations. Countries such as Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain are now among the wealthiest and most economically capable states in the region.
These nations possess strong financial resources, modern infrastructure, and increasingly sophisticated security capabilities. As the region evolves, it may be time for Middle Eastern nations themselves to take greater responsibility for maintaining regional security.
One potential path forward would be the creation of a **regional security alliance—essentially a Middle Eastern NATO—** in which leading regional nations coordinate defense cooperation, intelligence sharing, and peacekeeping responsibilities. Such an alliance could strengthen regional stability while reducing the need for permanent large-scale foreign military deployments. The idea of a Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA), sometimes nicknamed an “Arab NATO” has been around for a while and its time has come. Overall, regional solutions often produce more sustainable peace.
Trump’s Diplomatic Position
President Trump’s political standing may place him in a unique position to pursue bold diplomatic initiatives. In polls, 70–90% of Americans consistently say they want peace in the Middle East. CNN Polls showed 64% had a positive approval to Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Report.
Recent polling has shown Trump polling 300% higher than many Western leaders. In some surveys, his approval ratings have been roughly triple those of European leaders such as France’s Emmanuel Macron at 16% approval or Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 17% approval.
Strong political support can provide leaders with the leverage necessary to pursue major diplomatic breakthroughs. Trump’s foreign policy philosophy has consistently emphasized negotiation, deal-making, and strategic diplomacy rather than endless military conflict. As such, Trump wants to force Iran to the table so that it can finally become a member of the world community of Peace.
The Economic Multiplier of Peace
History shows that when long-standing conflicts end, economic growth often accelerates rapidly. Peace agreements reopen trade corridors, encourage infrastructure investment, and allow tourism and commerce to flourish. We have all seen the rapid advancement of economies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other nations in the Middle East. Everyone can see the potential of Peace in the region.
A normalized economic relationship with Iran could stimulate development across pipelines, ports, rail networks, logistics hubs, and digital infrastructure linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Americans have always been intrigued with Iran. Many see Iran and Iraq as the historical mother nations of civilization, and all hope that these areas can one day be open for trade, tourism, and international exchange of ideas.
Millions of jobs could emerge across industries including engineering, construction, transportation, energy, manufacturing, and technology. Peace is not only a diplomatic victory—it is an economic engine.
A Moment for Strategic Realignment
For more than two decades, the United States spent enormous financial resources on foreign wars. By many estimates, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan alone ultimately cost the United States close to $10 trillion when long-term expenses are included.
A large portion of America’s national inheritance including resources that could have strengthened domestic prosperity were spent on overseas conflicts during years of continuous war under multiple administrations.
People see the results of failed conflicts, and failed diplomacy by Clinton and Obama and interactions with Syria and Libya, and most diplomats hope that this type of horrible mistake does not happen again in regions like Venezuela and Iran.
After decades of conflict, Americans increasingly want a different path forward. Further, it is obvious that a ground war is impossible as the Ukraine has shown that satellite and drone warfare rules supreme.
Trump will not send regular troops into Iran, and Trump will probably finance key groups to stabilize the nation while ruling its airspace and satellite space.
Groups inside and around Iran that have strong incentives to support a more stable and less IRGC‑dominated Iran include: Kurds, Azeri nationalists, Ahwazi Arabs, Baluch communities, Lur and Bakhtiari tribal networks, monarchists aligned with Reza Pahlavi, the NCRI/MEK opposition, student and labor movements, women’s rights networks, Iraqi Kurdistan authorities, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and several Gulf‑state–aligned Arab activist groups.
Keep in mind that these groups combined represent about 40-50 million out of a 90 million population of Iran.
Because modern drones and precision missiles are far cheaper to produce and deploy than traditional armored units or large troop formations, some analysts argue that the United States could sustain a long‑duration, technology‑driven campaign at 1/10th the cost of conventional ground warfare bringing Iran to the table without a single American boot on the ground.
With the new Hi Tech warfare, President Trump will probably force stakeholders and leaders to the table. This may include Iran, Russia and China. The Middle East may move to form its own NATO style pact to create peace in the region.
President Trump & The Midterms
With the combination of existing tax tools and the newly enacted retroactive deductions for the 2025 tax year, many American families may see significantly larger refunds when they file their taxes.
Policies such as deductions for tips and overtime, an expanded child tax credit, and higher allowable deductions like SALT are expected to leave more money in household budgets. Because these provisions apply retroactively to income earned earlier in 2025, many workers have already paid taxes through withholding that they will now receive back in the form of refunds.
Estimates from The Economist magazine suggest the average family could receive roughly $3,000 more than in recent years. For many households, that extra money can go a long way—helping cover the cost of a summer vacation, family travel, or simply providing a bit more breathing room in the family budget.
Instead of endless military engagements abroad, many citizens believe the nation’s leadership should focus on strengthening prosperity at home. Looking at Trump’s America First Doctrine, these are the key issues domestically.
- Workers deserve rising wages and stable jobs and the elimination of Biden/Harris hyperinflation.
- Teachers deserve investment in schools, technology, and education.
- Farmers deserve stable markets and affordable diesel and energy.
- Families deserve affordable healthcare and housing and Obamacare has been proven a failure and Medicaid is the service of choice now for the working poor.
- Communities deserve safety and economic opportunity as crime hit 50 year highs under Biden, but the murder rate is at a 100 year low under Trump.
America’s long-term strength ultimately begins at home—with productive workers, strong schools, secure communities, and a thriving economy. With the Columbia and Iran situation, these 2 issues could give the world a boost with free trade, less Red/Green fascism-communism, and low energy costs for years to come.
The Peace Dividend
A diplomatic breakthrough with Iran would not simply reduce tensions in one region of the world. It could mark the beginning of a new strategic era in which diplomacy, trade, and regional cooperation replace decades of conflict.
After years of failure under Bush, Biden, Obama and Clinton, the war fatigue and trillions spent overseas, many Americans believe the time has come for a new national priority.
There will not be any traditional ground wars again as the technology has made it obsolete. However, a country’s agents and special forces can be used to disrupt and destabilize enemies of any state.
A president who places peace, prosperity, children, workers, teachers, farmers, education, healthcare affordability, homeland safety, and national productivity first may ultimately deliver the greatest peace dividend of all. That dividend would not only benefit global trade, it would benefit the American people.
_______________
Commissioner George Mentz JD MBA CILS CWM® holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), and an MBA from ABA and AACSB Accredited programs. Mentz is the first in the USA to rank as a Top 50 Influencer & Thought Leader in: Management, PM, HR, FinTech, EdTech, Wealth Management, and B2B according to Onalytica.com and Thinkers360.com. George Mentz JD MBA CILS is a CWM Chartered Wealth Manager ®, global speaker - educator, tax-economist, international lawyer and CEO of the GAFM Global Academy of Finance & Management ®.
© 2026 Newsmax Finance. All rights reserved.