Trump Struggles to Sell Iran War as Support Frays

Four days into the Iran conflict, senior officials still can’t clearly sell the rationale, insisting it’s not Iraq or a “forever war,” even as Trump’s offhand remarks undercut the case. With six U.S. service members killed, MAGA supporters grow anxious about a longer, costlier conflict, pressuring the White House to present a cohesive narrative. Officials say Iran wasn’t negotiating in good faith and the aim is a targeted campaign, not nation-building, but Trump’s tweets suggesting wars can be fought forever complicate messaging. Some conservatives warn that an open-ended campaign could erode support and undermine the president’s affordability agenda.