President Donald Trump ordered a major escalation of combat operations against Iran for the weekend of August 1-2, 2026, but called off the action late Saturday night, according to multiple reliable sources. Some U.S. allies were prepared to participate in the escalation, while others urged a delay.

The situation reflects ongoing tensions with Iran's military dictatorship, which has been described as dominated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Trump has repeatedly criticized the regime's negotiators for discussing Iran's nuclear program in closed meetings only to publicly deny those discussions immediately afterward.

An opinion piece by Hugh Hewitt, a commentator with extensive experience across major U.S. news networks and Republican political debates, draws an analogy between Trump's strategic decisions and golf, suggesting that while Trump faces challenges, he may still manage to "save par" in this complex geopolitical "game."

The article also references "Pickaxe Mountain," a site suspected of harboring parts of Iran's nuclear weapons program, which Trump reportedly wants rigorously inspected as a condition for halting combat operations.

Hewitt emphasizes that the civilian leadership in Iran is largely a facade, with real power held by military forces. The piece notes that Trump’s approach marks his second reversal on IRGC-related operations, highlighting the fluid and high-stakes nature of U.S.-Iran relations.

Notable Quotes

  • "Reliable reports from a variety of sources confirm that President Trump had ordered a major escalation of combat with Iran for this past weekend only to call it off late Saturday night. Some of our allies were primed to participate, but others urged a delay."
  • ") Pay almost no attention to the civilian puppets of the rump regime. It is a military dictatorship inside Iran now."

About the Author

Hugh Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for major American newspapers, authored a dozen books, and moderated numerous Republican candidate debates, including the November 2023 presidential debate in Miami.

Sources