Lowering the bar for victory in the Iran war

The Washington Times reported recently that unnamed Republican lawmakers and foreign‑policy analysts are floating an idea for how President Trump should end the Iran war: declare victory and stop fighting.

The suggestion is gaining traction, even though the war’s central stated objective — eliminating Iran’s nuclear program — remains unmet.

What is missing from that conversation is that this isn’t a new idea. It would be the fifth attempt.

On March 24, Trump said Iran was “totally defeated” and that the war “has been won.” Fighting continued.

On April 1, in a primetime address, he declared the U.S. was “on track to complete all of America’s military objectives.” He claimed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s command structure was “being decimated,” and said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen “automatically.” Within hours, Iran launched missiles at Israel.

On April 7, after a two‑week ceasefire arrangement, Trump told AFP the U.S. had won “total and complete victory. 100 percent.” The ceasefire did not hold.

On June 15, his 80th birthday, Trump posted that “the Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” promising Hormuz would reopen and “peace and security” would follow. Strikes resumed within weeks.

Following the funeral of Supreme........

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