The article reports on criticism directed at President Donald Trump following comments he made during an interview with NBC's Kristen Welker regarding the ongoing conflict involving Iran.Retired Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling argued that Trump's remarks could negatively affect the morale of U.S.service members deployed in the region.

During a discussion on MSNBC's MS NOW hosted by Alicia Menendez, Hertling and Representative Seth Moulton, a retired Marine veteran, examined the administration's messaging about the war.

Menendez noted that presidents who commit the United States to military conflicts typically explain the mission's objectives, desired outcomes, and criteria for success to both the public and military personnel.

She argued that Trump failed to clearly answer key questions about what the United States is trying to achieve in Iran, how success would be measured, and when troops might return home.

Hertling focused on Trump's statement that troops could remain deployed until there is a 'completion' of the mission, despite the relatively low cost of maintaining their presence.

Drawing on his own military experience during the Iraq War, Hertling said such language can create uncertainty and frustration among service members, particularly when deployment timelines become unclear or are extended unexpectedly.According to Hertling, soldiers often need a clearly defined mission and realistic expectations about the duration of their deployment.

He expressed skepticism that there would be a definitive military 'completion' in Iran and suggested that the conflict could end in a less decisive outcome.

He further argued that relying primarily on military force to solve complex geopolitical problems can be ineffective, emphasizing that not every challenge has a military solution.