Three months after launching military operations against Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump is facing growing questions about whether his campaign is faltering. Despite early claims of strategic victories, a Reuters analysis reports that Iran’s influence in the Persian Gulf, including control over the Strait of Hormuz and continuation of its nuclear program, remains largely intact. The initial U.S. and Israeli airstrikes damaged Iran’s missile stockpiles and naval assets, but Tehran quickly retaliated by disrupting maritime traffic and striking regional targets.

Analysts note that Trump’s stated goals—halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions, reducing regional threats, and weakening its leadership—have yet to be achieved. Former U.S. diplomat Aaron David Miller described the conflict as shifting from a short-term success to a long-term strategic failure. Rising fuel prices and domestic discontent have added political pressure on Trump ahead of midterm elections, while divisions within the Republican Party are emerging.

The report adds that U.S. relations with European allies have strained as many refused to join the conflict, while China and Russia are observing U.S. military limitations and Iran’s asymmetric tactics for future strategic lessons.