President Trump is projecting confidence that the United States has the upper hand in its conflict with Iran, but critics say his increasingly forceful rhetoric reflects frustration as the war approaches six months. Trump said there were no talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran, that the naval blockade (military restriction of sea traffic) remained in force, and that the Strait of Hormuz was open after mines were removed or detonated. He also threatened Oman over its negotiations with Iran and again suggested declaring the strategic shipping channel U.S. territory. The conflict has driven oil and U.S. gasoline prices higher, with West Texas Intermediate crude above $85 on Tuesday, compared with about $66 before the war and more than $112 at its April peak. The 30-year U.S. Treasury yield also reached its highest level in almost two decades. Analysts describe Trump’s choices as continued escalation, an immediate peace effort requiring potentially unpopular concessions, or sustained economic pressure over several months. A poll from The Economist and YouGov found that 57% of Americans viewed the decision to go to war as wrong, against 25% who viewed it as right. Critics say Iran’s leadership has not collapsed and U.S. leverage has diminished, while Trump’s defenders point to damage to Iran’s navy and air force and weakening support for Iranian proxies. The report concludes that the U.S. effort in Iran is in strategic free-fall, while Trump’s volatility may be worsening the problem.