US President Donald Trump still appears unable to find a workable way to end the war against Iran. With each passing day, there are growing indications that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew him into this war by providing faulty intelligence: that assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and its leading military and political figures would bring down the Iranian regime, and that it could not withstand a major war.
By Dr. Wahid Abdel-Meguid
The war began on February 28. Trump entered it alongside Netanyahu—or following his lead—without an exit strategy. He subsequently asked his Israeli partner to stop, while continuing the war himself through intense bombardment of thousands of military targets, as well as civilian ones. These included the “Shajarat al-Tayyiba” school in the city of Minab, where more than 150 people were killed, including 120 children.
Now the war is entering its eighth month, with no sign that an end is near. This is the same president who pledged to avoid “endless wars” and work to end wars around the world.
Throughout this period, Trump has appeared—and continues to appear—hesitant or confused, unsure of precisely what he wants. What he says today differs from what he said yesterday, and he may contradict today’s statements tomorrow. At the outset, he set out certain objectives, only to abandon them and announce others. The initial goals were to overthrow the Iranian regime, or force it into submission and surrender along the lines of Venezuela; completely destroy its nuclear and missile capabilities; and eliminate its allies, or those he regards as its proxies, in the region. None of these objectives has been achieved. Meanwhile, Trump’s ambitions have steadily diminished, to the point where his priority is now to end any Iranian role in setting the rules for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
As Trump appears increasingly confused, he leaves the rest of the world bewildered too—especially the countries of the region, which are looking for an end to the war and a return to stability.
First published in Al-Ahram on October 3, 2026.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Levant Files.
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