USA — Prominent US tech billionaire Peter Thiel has publicly severed ties with President Donald Trump, citing deep opposition to the administration’s ongoing military campaign in Iran.
Speaking at a lecture earlier this month, the German-born entrepreneur expressed strong scepticism regarding the administration’s decision to initiate what he described as an “unprovoked” and “unwarranted” conflict. According to reports from Politico, Thiel stated that the military intervention was a strategic misstep.
“I’m sceptical of [the war], I think we should not have done it,” Thiel told attendees. “There were a lot of mistakes that were made.”
Thiel, a venture capitalist with extensive connections across the global tech elite and US policymakers, voiced significant concerns over the nation’s capacity to sustain a prolonged conflict. He warned that the administration may lack the necessary capabilities, stating, “Maybe we don’t have the hard power. Maybe we’re going to lose the soft power war.”
The public break highlights a growing rift between the administration and a faction of major Republican donors who are increasingly critical of the president’s defining foreign policy manoeuvres.
The military campaign, launched jointly by US and Israeli forces on February 28, has faced fierce retaliatory strikes from the Iranian Armed Forces. Key US military installations across the Middle East, including facilities in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, have been targeted, delivering significant strategic challenges to the administration.
Domestically, the conflict has taken a toll on the US economy and the president’s approval ratings. The military engagement has contributed to soaring fuel prices and an increased cost of living, placing growing economic pressure on the American working class and fuelling widespread domestic discontent.
Reference: PressTv