Ryan Bridge: The war in Iran isn't going anywhere

Told you when this whole thing kicked off that it wouldn't end tomorrow, and it hasn't.

This is the war between the US and Iran. It is still going on.

The biggest problem was always going to be the Strait of Hormuz, and the Strait of Hormuz is not open.

Perspective with Andrew Dickens: Has Trump locked America into a 'forever war'?

So, it’s been more than two months since the president announced what he described as a ceasefire with Iran and suggested a major deal was just days away. This was back on April 7.

The president said on social media that the two sides were “very far along”, adding that they just needed two weeks for the agreement to be finalised and consummated. But of course, that never happened.

Mike's Minute: Do we have any choice but to help out the US?

Well the war seems live now, doesn’t it.

The Americans officially want our help.

Which brings us back to the original question - if this encounter ends up ridding Iran of the ability to produce nuclear weaponry, has it been worth it?

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: It's a matter of time before we head to the Strait

I’m inclined to think that at some stage and in some way we will be helping the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It’s been revealed by American media that Trump has told US embassies around the world to pressure governments to help. Australia is considering assistance and so are we.

Melanie Phillips: The dawn of a new world order

An increasingly hostile American public has little idea of the necessity and importance of the war against Iran

Most people in America are against the war with Iran, as they are in Britain, too.

Very few, however, actually understand why this war is as necessary as it is unavoidably complex.

Steven Gaskell: Iran Faces Mounting Economic Pressure as Hormuz Blockade Ripples Globally.

As of late April 2026, the naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz is inflicting severe economic damage on Iran, with analysts estimating losses of between US$435 million and US$500 million per day. The disruption has effectively paralysed Iran’s most critical export sector and is now sending shockwaves through the global economy.

Melanie Phillips: An unholy accommodation

The Pope’s genuflection to Islam spells disaster for Western civilisation

When US President Donald Trump sent Vice-President JD Vance to negotiate with members of the Iranian regime in Islamabad, people initially thought that Vance — reportedly the most outspoken voice in the Trump administration against going to war with Iran — would be a soft touch.

When the talks in Pakistan broke down, however, Vance’s position could hardly have been tougher. Having seen the Iranian regime up close, he said, he was absolutely certain that these people must never be allowed to get nuclear weapons.

In recent days, he has again taken a position which contradicted previous assumptions about his worldview.

Roger Partridge: Still Admiring the Emperor’s New Clothes

Why loyalty outlasts the evidence

A year ago this week, my Quadrant column, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” – written before this Substack launched – asked a question that irritated more people than it persuaded: How could so many thoughtful conservatives, people who once championed limited government and constitutional norms, support a president whose actions so plainly contradicted those principles?

The answer drew on Jonathan Haidt’s research into moral psychology. Trump, the column argued, had tapped into something deeper than policy preference – loyalty, authority, sanctity – the moral foundations conservatives weight more heavily than liberals. Facts that contradicted the tribal narrative would be reinterpreted or dismissed. “Short-term pain for long-term gain,” supporters would say. Or: “He’s playing four-dimensional chess.”

Ryan Bridge: Religious leaders' messages work better without politics

Trump's at war with the Pope again, this time over Iran. Last time it was over Gaza.

Usually the pontiff is a bit more low-key, just praying and kissing babies and cruising round in the white robe in the Pope-mobile, like Batman but less cool.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Trump's won the battle, but will he win the war?

You might not like Donald Trump’s boorish ultimatums or his threats to end a civilisation but it worked, didn’t it?

Iran backed down with 90 minutes to spare. The Strait of Hormuz will be reopened and they will go to Pakistan for ceasefire talks in two days.

Ryan Bridge: This war in Iran has been a total balls-up from Trump.

Lets' talk about the elephant in the room, this war in Iran has been a total balls-up from Trump.

He's cried wolf three times on his ultimatums.

He's said one thing and then in the next breath said exactly the opposite.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Do we think Trump will go through with the Iran threats?

Midday tomorrow - our time. That is the deadline Donald Trump has given Iran.

Now, if your reaction is something along the lines of not really caring because Donald Trump has set plenty of deadlines before and then walked away from them, that’s fair enough. All of that is true.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Why did Donald Trump call this speech today?

If you were hoping Donald Trump scheduling a speech meant there would be some sort of development in the war -either the US pulling out, putting boots on the ground or opening the Strait - then, like me, you would have been disappointed.

There was no news, was there? No announcement at all. Donald Trump was simply trying to convince American voters with PR - and it’s stuff he’s said before.