Trump struggles to shape the narrative on the Iran war - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxNWE9LbUJuTDZqSWdHNlNHZDVKb2VxTzZFeXQyanVYYWRfeHZMOEFEUk5QZzJrM2V6NUxnOEZycC16WGZNaU9LSEs2Rjd0YUQtb3NTVllxcXhFQTdqOElaeFZRZGRVU2h5ZVNCZ200TEkzUHpaWTZrSkZyTXpoYUFGbHdWc3pRMG1XMFJOWC1B?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump struggles to shape the narrative on the Iran war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

As of March 2026, President Donald Trump faces a critical decision regarding the ongoing war with Iran—whether to deploy U.S. troops to seize approximately 970 pounds of enriched uranium that Iran could use to produce nuclear weapons. While Trump has claimed that U.S. bombings last June 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear program, experts believe much of the uranium remains buried beneath destroyed facilities. Seizing or destroying these materials would likely require a large and risky ground operation, conflicting with Trump's promise to avoid extended Middle East conflicts. Lawmakers from both parties express concern about the feasibility and necessity of a troop deployment, while Trump and his team have remained vague about their plans. Defense and intelligence officials indicate the uranium stockpile still exists and poses a potential threat, with risks increasing if Iranian hardliners retain power. Military and policy experts suggest the operation is possible but highly complex, involving substantial manpower and logistical challenges. The situation presents Trump with a dilemma between fulfilling his nonproliferation goals and avoiding deeper military entanglement.

Joe Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned over the Iran war and revealed in a March 18, 2026, interview on Tucker Carlson’s show that he and other senior officials were not allowed to share their concerns about the U.S. airstrikes with President Donald Trump. Kent criticized the lack of internal debate and claimed that the decision to strike Iran was heavily influenced by Israeli lobbying, despite a lack of concrete intelligence indicating an imminent Iranian threat. Trump, he said, relied on a small circle of advisers and dismissed broader intelligence assessments. Kent alleged that Israel, along with American media and political allies including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson, pressured the U.S. by threatening to act unilaterally. His statements have faced backlash from Jewish groups accusing him of promoting antisemitic views. Trump rebutted Kent’s critiques, labeling him as weak on security. Kent, a decorated former Green Beret and CIA officer, emphasized that he could not support the administration’s direction in good conscience, prompting his resignation.

The ongoing war in Iran has amplified the risks associated with President Donald Trump's renewed focus on fossil fuels, highlighting the vulnerabilities of U.S. energy policy in the face of global instability. Since returning to office, Trump has dismantled climate-friendly initiatives in favor of oil and gas, claiming it supports American energy dominance. However, the conflict has pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel and gas prices near $4 per gallon, exposing the U.S. to severe supply shocks due to disruptions like the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Experts and critics argue that this dependence, compounded by the administration’s rollback of clean energy projects and tax breaks for renewables, has left consumers unprotected and energy costs rising—especially troubling in an election year focused on affordability. Despite assurances from Trump that the economic impact will be short-lived, analysts warn of prolonged high prices and strategic strain. The U.N. and energy experts advocate for a faster transition to renewables to mitigate future risks, stressing that only clean energy can offer long-term energy security amidst geopolitical turbulence.