Find a way out! Trump adviser: It's time to "declare victory and withdraw" from Iran.
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The US-Iran war has entered its third week, with public calls for withdrawal emerging within the Trump administration and widening cracks within its alliance.
David Sacks, Trump’s White House adviser and head of AI and cryptocurrency affairs, spoke out publicly in his latest podcast, calling on the US to "declare victory and withdraw" from the Iran conflict, becoming the first high-ranking figure in the Trump administration to openly express dissatisfaction. Sacks stated explicitly, "This is clearly what the market wants to see."
At the same time, according to media reports, some Trump allies skeptical of the military actions have coordinated behind the scenes, arranging to speak out on Fox News and other channels frequently watched by the President, signaling caution to the public and warning against letting the US sink into deeper military commitments.
According to Xinhua News Agency, US President Trump posted on social media on the 13th, claiming that Iran has been "completely defeated." Late at night, Trump wrote: "‘Fake news’ media does not want to report US military achievements in Iran. Iran has been completely defeated, wants to reach an agreement—but I’ll never accept it!"
The current situation’s impact on the market can no longer be ignored. Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to skyrocket and sending an energy shockwave across the globe. The largest release of global strategic oil reserves in history has been initiated in response. Meanwhile, the stock market has sharply declined, with warnings of stagflation risks emerging one after another. The US economy faces the double threat of stagnation and high inflation coexisting.
Adviser’s Public Appeal: The Market Needs an Exit
David Sacks made this call on his co-hosted "All-In" podcast, with direct wording. He stated, "Now is a good time to declare victory and withdraw," emphasizing that this is "clearly what the market wants to see."
Sacks' statement came after Trump declared this month that the US could fight Iran "forever." This assertion sparked intense backlash within his MAGA alliance—the voters who supported Trump, in part because he promised to end overseas wars. Trump later told reporters the war might end "soon," but on Friday announced the US military had "destroyed every military target on Kharg Island."
According to Xinhua News Agency, US President Trump posted on social media on the evening of the 13th, stating the US military had launched "intense airstrikes" on Iranian military targets at the oil export hub Kharg Island.
On the podcast, Sacks expressed specific concerns about the consequences of further strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, even mentioning the risk of nuclear war. "You see a group of people, mainly but not wholly from within the Republican Party, wanting to escalate the war," he said.
He warned that if more Iranian energy infrastructure were attacked, Iran might retaliate by striking Gulf countries’ oil and gas facilities, "which would be an even worse outcome." He specifically mentioned Saudi Arabia, stating that further escalation "might make the Gulf region virtually uninhabitable, which would be a truly catastrophic scenario."
Known Risks Before War, Trump Still Chose Conflict
Media reports say that, before the US went to war, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine had repeatedly briefed Trump that US strikes might prompt Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz. US officials have long believed Iran would use mines, drones, and missiles to block this key global shipping lane.
Trump acknowledged this risk, but proceeded anyway. He told his team that Tehran would likely yield before closing the strait, and even if Iran really attempted to block it, US forces could handle it.
But two weeks later, Iran’s leadership refuses to back down. Iran has intercepted tankers and attacked merchant ships, making the Strait of Hormuz Tehran’s most powerful lever. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the Pentagon has been preparing for Iran’s blockade scenario for decades, and this operation "literally aims to strip Iran of the ability to block the Strait."
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, after attending a briefing, said, "They have no plan to deal with the strait crisis. These people did not have a plan before the war started, and one week in, they still don’t, which is quite shocking."
Allies Privately Angry, Market Pressure Persists
Gulf allies have privately expressed strong dissatisfaction to the US. Diplomats say these countries accuse the Trump administration of triggering a war that puts them in danger, damaging the region’s reputation as a prosperous, business-friendly area. This week, Trump has privately called leaders of these nations.
Oil price volatility and market turmoil have sparked the largest release of strategic reserves in history, while angering oil companies hoping for price stability. The White House has adopted a new messaging strategy this week, stressing that the conflict will end quickly once US military objectives are achieved, with officials saying the goal is to stabilize market sentiment.
However, media report US officials privately admit there are currently no plans for withdrawal, with more Marines and warships rushing to the region. Some officials expect fighting to continue for weeks or even longer.
According to CCTV News, as learned on the 13th local time, a retired US military officer said in an interview that the US attack on Iran’s Kharg Island has increased the risks of the war, and may ultimately lead to oil prices being “out of control.”
Analysts note Trump faces a dilemma: either end hostile actions and leave behind a damaged regime that may rebuild its arms, or continue bombing and risk broader turmoil, more casualties, and political backlash. Another possibility, officials say, is for Trump to declare victory and pull back.
According to veteran Wall Street macro strategist Bianco, he clearly opposes the “declare victory and withdraw” (TACO) option, believing it is actually worse than maintaining current operations. His reasoning points to structural risk: if the US withdraws without resolving the Strait of Hormuz issue, Iran will effectively gain lasting control of a key global energy lifeline, with the ability to punish the world’s economy for an extended period with oil at $200 a barrel.
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