President Trump vowed to end wars, not begin them. Yet, he risks repeating past presidential mistakes.
No leader starts a conflict expecting it to be endless. Still, since Vietnam, U.S. presidents have engaged in wars that feel perpetual. These conflicts seem to persist until a future president decides the cost is too high.
Critics argue that Trump’s approach to Iran mirrors this pattern. Though he campaigned on a promise to avoid new Middle Eastern conflicts, he may find himself entangled in Iran.
The conflict waged by the U.S. and Israel started decisively. Yet, negotiation efforts have not achieved Trump’s goals, such as regime change or ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Instead, the situation at the Strait of Hormuz has worsened.
Diplomatic efforts are currently stalled. The cease-fire is broken and the strait remains blocked. A key memorandum of understanding, once deemed successful by Trump, is no longer intact.
Ali Vaez, Iran project director for the International Crisis Group, observed, “Both sides saw the memorandum as a continuation of the war, not a path to peace.” Without a solid strategy for a sustainable settlement, the risk of a prolonged conflict increases.
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