Trump-era Iran policy risks a protracted, repeatable war

The analysis argues that Washington’s four Iran-war objectives—regime change, dismantling long-range missiles, halting nuclear enrichment, and stopping Tehran’s proxies—have failed so far, despite sanctions and episodic strikes. With sanctions unlikely to force a political reversal and Iran leveraging control of the Strait of Hormuz, the White House is weighing a “mowing the lawn” campaign or a hollow “declare victory” exit, neither of which would open the Strait or end the conflict. The piece warns the Iran War is slipping into a long-lasting stalemate and will require a credible regional compromise (including Israel) to avoid a true “forever war.”