Trump Seems Trapped by Iran War, Even as He Wields the World’s Bigges…

Trump Faces Constraints in Iran Conflict as Goals Remain Unmet

President Trump has encountered limits on U.S. military and economic leverage during the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to administration officials and outside analysts. The president began full combat operations on Feb. 28 with stated objectives of ending Iran’s nuclear program and replacing the country’s government. Five months later, those objectives have not been achieved, and U.S. forces have not conducted further large-scale strikes.

Trump has described his approach to foreign policy as relying on unpredictability. In an interview with The New York Times, he said his decisions were constrained only by “my own morality.” He cited the 2025 bombing of Iranian nuclear sites and the January operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as examples of actions previous administrations avoided. Current operations in Iran, however, have not produced a rapid resolution.

U.S. intelligence assessments reviewed by the administration have indicated that additional major strikes on Iranian territory carry significant risks and uncertain results, officials familiar with the briefings said. The Strait of Hormuz has seen repeated disruptions to shipping, with traffic reduced to a trickle after a brief reopening. Iran’s oil exports through Kharg Island continue under constraints, and a secondary shipping route between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden faces threats. The president has publicly ruled out large-scale ground troop deployments.

These developments have coincided with volatility in global oil prices and U.S. stock market movements. Administration officials have discussed three primary courses of action: renewed military operations, intensified sanctions enforcement, or a negotiated exit from active combat. Each option has been reviewed in meetings that included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff.

On June 17, Trump signed a 14-point cease-fire agreement at the Palace of Versailles. He stated at the time that Iranian negotiators had accepted the terms to avoid further strikes and to seek relief from sanctions. The agreement held for two weeks before Iranian forces resumed firing on vessels outside the channel controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian officials involved in the talks had sought access to previously frozen overseas assets and resumed oil sales, according to statements from both sides.

The administration has since weighed returning to larger-scale strikes. Briefings last week examined options that would target Iranian electricity infrastructure and missile forces. Officials noted that U.S. inventories of missile interceptors have declined after repeated exchanges, with some estimates from the Center for Strategic and International Studies indicating that half of certain interceptor stocks had been expended by April. Further depletion was cited as a factor in the decision to defer major new operations.

Trump has also pursued economic measures. His energy secretary reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia to supply civil nuclear technology, an accord developed over 18 months. The president subsequently stated that the deal would not proceed unless Saudi Arabia joined the Abraham Accords and recognized Israel. Saudi officials have not issued a public response to the revised terms.

Separately, Trump announced termination of the original agreement for the Gordie Howe International Bridge and imposed 50 percent tariffs on selected Canadian goods. Canadian authorities canceled U.S. participation in the bridge’s opening ceremonies scheduled for Monday. The tariffs have been described by some trade analysts as inconsistent with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement negotiated during Trump’s first term.

On domestic legislation, a bipartisan housing bill scheduled for a White House signing ceremony was set aside after the president declined to sign it, citing his priority for the SAVE America Act voting measures. The housing bill later became law without his signature.

Public polling conducted by The Washington Post and Ipsos showed 29 percent approval for Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated last week that “we got to wrap it up,” reflecting views expressed by some Republican lawmakers.

The three options under discussion each carry documented drawbacks. Renewed bombardment could produce additional civilian casualties and further strain interceptor stockpiles, according to military assessments. Expanded sanctions would require sustained naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz and could lead to intermittent exchanges of fire. A decision to end active operations without removing Iran’s remaining enriched uranium or restoring full shipping access would leave core issues unresolved, as noted by administration officials.

Trump has referenced concerns about economic effects, stating he did not want to risk conditions comparable to the Great Depression. He has also noted potential global oil shortages if the conflict continued. No final choice among the three paths has been announced.

Jonathan Swan and Eric Schmitt contributed reporting.