Analyst Trita Parsi: Trump Has 'Lost Control' of the Iran War
In an interview with Owen Jones (@OwenJonesTalks) published on his YouTube channel, foreign policy analyst Trita Parsi offered a critical assessment of the Trump administration's handling of the war with Iran, arguing that the United States has already lost strategic control of the conflict.
Parsi, co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, stated that the administration's initial plan "came crashing down within 48 to 72 hours of that war" and is now "scrambling to come up with a plan B." He pointed to shifting justifications, goals, and timelines as evidence that "Trump has already lost control of the war," while emphasising this does not mean Iran is winning, but that Tehran is increasingly shaping "the geography of the war, the length of the war, and the intensity of the war."
The analyst warned of an "escalation trap," suggesting the administration might commit further rather than accept failure. He noted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's rhetoric about removing "woke" restrictions on warfare could lead to significantly higher casualties and a broader conflict. Parsi expressed particular concern about reported US support for Kurdish separatist groups, arguing this would fuel Iranian nationalism and validate regime narratives about Western intentions to disintegrate the country.
Regarding domestic Iranian dynamics, Parsi said he has not seen a dramatic "rally around the flag" effect comparable to previous conflicts, but also noted no signs of the popular uprising that some opposition figures anticipated. He predicted the bombing campaign would create lasting rifts between Iranians inside the country and diaspora elements celebrating the attacks.
Parsi concluded that while Trump could declare victory and seek an exit, the administration appears more likely to "continue to throw good money after bad," potentially leading to a prolonged and devastating conflict reminiscent of past US wars in the region.
Source: Trump Has LOST CONTROL Of The Iran War – Trita Parsi (Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18m6IaMZ5iw)