Billionaire investor Peter Thiel has questioned President Donald Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran. He said the United States should never have started the conflict. His remarks mark a rare public criticism from a major Republican donor who has supported Trump for years.
Thiel spoke during a private lecture in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 12. Audio from the event later revealed his views on the war. He said the United States had made serious errors and raised doubts about its ability to achieve its goals.
“I’m skeptical of [the war], I think we should not have done it,” Thiel said. “There were a lot of mistakes that were made.”
He also warned that the United States could lose both military strength and global support.
“Maybe we don’t have the hard power. Maybe we’re going to lose the soft power war,” he added.
The comments come as the war has lasted longer than the Trump administration first expected. The conflict has raised questions about Trump’s promise to avoid long military campaigns in the Middle East.
It has also become a major issue ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Democrats have criticized the war’s cost and duration. Republicans are trying to keep control of Congress while facing questions about the conflict.
Thiel Questions US Foreign Policy
Thiel was an early supporter of Trump and has donated to Republican causes. His criticism is notable because he has remained a key figure in conservative political and business circles.
He also opposes neoconservative foreign policy, which often supports an active US role in world affairs and the use of military force abroad.
His remarks show that support for Trump does not mean agreement with every policy choice. Thiel backed the president but argued that entering the war with Iran was a mistake.
The conflict has also made it harder for Republicans to focus public debate on domestic issues. As election day draws closer, the party must address concerns about the war while trying to retain its power in Congress.
It is not clear how much the conflict has affected Republican support among voters. However, its continued impact has added pressure to a campaign already shaped by debates over national policy and the economy.
Thiel Warns of Legal Risks
Thiel also raised concerns about the International Criminal Court, or ICC. He suggested that possible legal action by the court could create risks for American officials involved in the war.
He spoke about members of the Cheney family, who have opposed Trump. Thiel claimed their stance was an effort to gain favor with the ICC and avoid possible prosecution.
“I read the Cheney family’s Trump derangement syndrome as an attempt to buy favor with the [International Criminal Court] and avoid prosecution. Probably too late,” he said.
Thiel then described the threat of an ICC arrest warrant as a major concern for the Trump administration.
“And I have come to suspect that the threat of an ICC arrest warrant is the sword of Damocles hanging over the Trump administration as it tries to persecute this war in Iran,” he added.
His comments show concern about the legal risks that could arise from the conflict. However, his remarks do not establish that the court has issued an arrest warrant against Trump or other US officials.
Earlier Meeting With Netanyahu
Thiel also spoke about a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in early 2024. The meeting took place after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
That attack and the fighting that followed changed security policy across the Middle East. Israel’s military actions and US support for the country have remained key issues in regional affairs.
Thiel’s account offers some context for his views on the region. However, the details of the lecture do not explain what he and Netanyahu discussed or how the meeting shaped his position on the Iran war.
War Adds Pressure Before Midterms
Thiel’s criticism highlights differences among people who support Trump. His remarks also add to the debate over whether the war serves US interests and how long American forces may remain involved.
The conflict presents a challenge for the president as voters prepare to cast their ballots on November 3. Lawmakers and voters may seek clearer answers about the war’s aims, costs and risks.
Thiel’s main concern is that the United States made the wrong choice by entering the conflict. His warning about military mistakes and declining global influence adds another voice to the debate over American power abroad.
The future of the war remains uncertain. Its course may shape US foreign policy and influence political debate in the final days before the midterm elections.
