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Trump Should Take the U.S. Military’s Warning on Iran Seriously

The U.S. military appears to be surfacing their concerns about the risks involved in sustaining a lengthy conflict with Iran. The White House should listen, as a conflict could trigger several cascading consequences.

By MAX BOOT

Council on Foreign Relations
February 24, 2025

President Donald Trump likely feels that the U.S. military is invincible after the success of various operations he has ordered during his time in office, including the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020, the bombing of the Iranian nuclear program in June 2025, and the abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January. But those were all “one and done” strikes. The military operation that Trump has threatened against Iran is potentially much larger and lengthier—and thus much riskier.