In a sharp opinion piece published in The Washington Post, conservative-leaning columnist Max Boot delivered a strong critique of President Donald Trump's ongoing war with Iran.

Boot highlighted how Trump announced on May 23, 2026, that a deal to end the conflict was nearly complete and would be revealed soon, yet weeks later, no agreement has materialized.

Instead, the situation has escalated with Iranian drone strikes damaging Kuwait's international airport, ballistic missile attacks on Israel, and retaliatory strikes, while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, disrupting global oil flows.

Boot, who had previously warned about the administration's lack of preparedness for a prolonged conflict, argues that Trump is now trapped in a difficult position of his own making.

The president avoids further military escalation but also resists concessions that might resemble former President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, which drew criticism from right-wing voices.As a result, Trump has reportedly retreated into optimistic social media posts claiming victory, despite the evident stalemate.

Boot outlines the grim realities: continuing the fight risks more American lives and economic damage from oil disruptions, while negotiating would require unfavorable terms to the Iranian leadership.

He describes this as a no-win scenario where 'all the options are bad' and places full responsibility on Trump for initiating a war of choice that has not gone as planned.

Boot contrasts it with Trump's more successful intervention in Venezuela and hopes the experience will deter future unnecessary conflicts in the volatile Middle East.The analysis underscores broader challenges in U.S.foreign policy and the difficulties of extracting from entanglements in the region.