Former British Foreign Secretary William Hague has warned that Donald Trump’s involvement in the war with Iran could evolve into an irreversible strategic mistake, as analysts point to a pattern of contradictory rhetoric oscillating between military threats and claims of “total victory.”
Escalation Without Strategy
Writing in The Times, Hague noted that recent days have seen long-range drone strikes spanning thousands of kilometers—one targeting a Russian port and another hitting Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, both inflicting significant damage.
He argued that Trump’s approach reflects a profound geostrategic miscalculation, drawing the United States into an unnecessary war with Iran. According to Hague, Russia is providing critical support to Washington’s adversaries while Trump continues to treat Vladimir Putin as a viable negotiating partner and pressures Ukraine toward capitulation.
In both conflicts, Hague observed, Trump appears to assume that the weaker side must accept humiliating defeat. Yet Ukraine, if sufficiently supported, need not surrender, and Iran has shown no indication of yielding, underscoring “a sweeping strategic error emanating from the White House.”
Today marks one month since Trump plunged the U.S. into war with Iran — and there remains no end in sight.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) March 28, 2026
How many more servicemembers will be put in harm's way before Congress does its job? pic.twitter.com/Po8c361ZEB
Strategic Fallout and Global Risks
Hague further contended that Trump’s decision to engage Iran was driven more by displays of force than coherent strategy, even as Russia benefits from oil market disruptions and China expands its strategic and economic influence.
As the war drags on, he warned, Washington’s ability to maintain a stable foothold in the Gulf is eroding, while the global economy grows increasingly fragile.
Hague suggested that Trump’s options are narrowing, with the most viable path being negotiations toward a comprehensive ceasefire with Iran, ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and averting further escalation that could trigger a global recession and sharp oil price spikes, conditions from which China stands to gain.
Limited Options, Deepening Impasse
Instead, Hague argued that Trump has put himself in a difficult position. The prospect of toppling the Iranian system through airstrikes remains highly unlikely, while Tehran has no incentive to accept proposals resembling Washington’s previously floated multi-point plans.
Even as he searches for an exit, Trump continues to speak of potential deals—statements that increasingly fail to reassure financial markets—while simultaneously threatening severe measures, including seizing Iran’s Khark Island oil terminal.
Contradictory Messaging
In a related analysis, reporters Herb Scribner and Josephine Walker wrote in Axios that Trump has declared the war “very close” to ending on 12 separate occasions, despite issuing conflicting statements combining escalation threats with assertions of decisive victory.
At times, Trump has described the campaign as a complete success, stating, “No one else could have done it.” On other occasions, he has claimed the war is effectively over, asserting that Iran has been “completely finished.”
Yet he has also threatened to “destroy” Iran’s energy and water infrastructure if no agreement is reached, warning that failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would prompt attacks on key facilities.
During a cabinet meeting, Trump declared Iran “defeated” and unable to recover, later insisting the war had already ended and predicting regime change, adding: “We have won this war.”
Unclear Endgame
Despite deploying roughly 50,000 troops to the Middle East, the White House has offered no clear timeline for ending the conflict. Trump has maintained that military objectives are being achieved “on schedule or ahead of schedule,” while continuing to hint at possible peace deals without committing to a definitive conclusion to hostilities.
Source: Al-Jazeera Net (Edited and translated by Al-Manar English)