The Iran war is a “disastrous mistake”, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a scathing assessment. Despite occupying a largely ceremonial role, Mr Steinmeier may have been channelling the frustrations of the whole of continental Europe. Badr Albusaidi, Oman’s foreign affairs minister and former mediator, has also baldly stated that Trump’s war with Iran was “a grave miscalculation”. World leaders are at their wits’ end trying to find a solution to the monkey puzzle Trump has made of global energy supplies. With thousands more US marines heading to the Gulf and reports of mines in the Strait of Hormuz, governments like our own are desperately rolling out contingencies to ease the sudden economic shock for people.

Source: Irish Independent March 25, 2026 14:42 UTC