President Donald Trump on Tuesday entreated Iranians to “rise up and fight” while also dismissing the possibility that U.S. strikes on Iran are intended to bring Tehran to the negotiating table.
Page A7From§Eachthe sunrise edition — 2 September 2026
US launches strikes on Iran as Trump demands Iranians rise up, warns against talks, then says he's not forcing talks
As it ran on the front
The administration’s approach to Iran, as documented in these three headlines, is a masterclass in strategic ambiguity. On one hand, the United States launches new strikes against Iran; on the other, the president implores Iranians to rise up and fight, simultaneously warning of escalation if Iran responds. The official line is that talks are off the table, except when he’s not trying to force Iran to the negotiating table—which, to be clear, is not the same as forcing talks, unless it is, depending on the day.
The message is strength, leadership, and resolve. The president’s words are meant to inspire resistance, discourage negotiation, and, above all, signal a coherent policy. Did I say 'coherent'? I meant 'firm.' No, wait, I meant 'clear.' It’s all about projecting power, except when it’s about avoiding escalation, unless escalation happens, in which case it’s about warning against escalation. That’s the official approach. The press releases are meant to clarify the situation, except when they complicate it, which is sometimes necessary for strategic purposes. Did I say 'necessary'? I meant 'optional.'…
…(cont) In sum, the receipts show a sequence of decisive actions followed by ambiguous statements, all designed to maintain flexibility and, presumably, keep everyone guessing. The stakes are real: lives, policies, and international relations. But the official line is consistent—except when it isn’t.
“The U.S. fires missiles, Trump tells Iranians to fight, and then says he's not pushing for negotiations, except when he is. That's war as a press release. The stakes are lives, not slogans.”
“Look, decisive action is leadership. The president's message is clear—wait, I mean it's consistent. Well, it's firm, except on talks, which are, obviously, not happening unless they are. It's all about strength. Did I say 'strength'? I meant 'strategy.'”
The receipts
The Strait of Hormuz remains the primary flashpoint in the conflict.
The U.S. military completed a new wave of strikes Tuesday on targets in Iran as the conflict in the region stretches into its seventh month. “U.S.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.