PNN – An American publication has written that Donald Trump has no way to end the conflict with Iran.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; The New Republic—in a report examining the U.S. impasse regarding the conflict with Iran—states that Donald Trump not only lacks a clear plan to end the hostilities, but his administration’s military and economic policies have also failed to force Iran into submission. The report further suggests that the ongoing conflict could become a political opportunity for the Democrats, particularly if they can propose a path back to the nuclear deal and a resolution to the crisis in contrast to Trump’s war of attrition.
A War without an Exit Strategy
According to The New Republic, the conflict with Iran unfolded contrary to Washington’s expectations from the very first weeks; now, months later, the U.S. still lacks a clear path to ending it. Tit-for-tat attacks continue, and Washington has not moved any closer to its initial goal of defeating Iran.
Ineffective Economic Pressure
The report notes that Trump’s policy of “maximum economic pressure” against Iran has also failed to yield the results the White House anticipated. The U.S. has been unable to bring China and Russia on board with its new policy, and Iran continues to maintain access to vital economic and financial channels.
Consequently, the strategy intended to pressure Tehran following the failure of military operations has encountered serious limitations.
Depleting Arsenals
Another sign of the crisis is the dwindling of U.S. weapons stockpiles. According to the report, ammunition shortages have become so severe that a number of senior military commanders have warned U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about the implications of continuing the war.
Their concern is that continued operations against Iran could diminish U.S. capacity to counter threats in other parts of the world and place further strain on the country’s military.
Claiming Victory amidst a Deadlock
Trump continues to insist that the U.S. has won the conflict, describing Iran as a defeated nation. However, The New Republic points to the contradiction between this claim and the reality of the situation: Iran remains standing, retaliatory attacks persist, and—unlike the period prior to the conflict—the Strait of Hormuz continues to face a crisis.
The report views this situation as an indication of the gap between Trump’s narrative of the conflict and the reality on the ground.
The War That Weakened the U.S
According to The New Republic, the result of the war thus far has not been enhanced U.S. security, but rather the erosion of the country’s military capabilities. By expending vast amounts of ammunition and diverting resources from other regions, the U.S. has left itself more vulnerable to potential crises elsewhere in the world.
Meanwhile, Iran has not yielded to Washington’s primary objective: defeat or capitulation.
Trump’s Fear of a Ground War
The report suggests that one reason the conflict has not yet escalated to a more dangerous stage is Trump’s concern regarding the deployment of American ground troops. However, the author argues that relying solely on airstrikes and economic sanctions has thus far failed to pave the way for ending the war.
Consequently, the United States finds itself in a predicament where it can neither easily achieve victory nor see a clear path out of the conflict.
Iran on the Eve of Elections
The New Republic believes that a war with Iran could emerge as a key issue in the upcoming U.S. election. If the conflict persists, it will directly become a campaign issue; conversely, should it end, its economic repercussions—particularly inflation and a crisis stemming from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—could continue to loom over the American political landscape.
However, the report notes that, thus far, Democrats have used the conflict primarily as a tool to attack Trump and the Republicans, rather than presenting a plan to bring the war to a close.
Trump’s War, Trump’s Responsibility
One of the report’s key arguments is that Democrats have no reason to shoulder the responsibility for resolving a crisis that Trump himself initiated. The author contends that Trump plunged into war by disregarding intelligence warnings and operating under the assumption that massive airstrikes could bring about regime change in Iran without the deployment of ground troops.
From this perspective, the human, economic, and political costs of the war should be borne by the Trump administration and the Republicans who supported this policy.
A Diplomatic Agreement to End the War
From The New Republic’s perspective, returning to a diplomatic agreement could offer a way to end the war, de-escalate nuclear tensions, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and allow the U.S. military to replenish its weapons stockpiles.
Overall, the report depicts a war that the U.S. chose to initiate but now lacks a clear plan to conclude. Trump continues to speak of victory, yet retaliatory attacks persist, U.S. military reserves have dwindled, and economic pressure has failed to isolate Iran.
Under these circumstances, The New Republic believes that Washington’s greatest challenge is no longer merely how to continue the war, but rather how to find a way out of a conflict whose political, economic, and military costs will only mount the longer it drags on.