Trump Claims Success in Iran War Amidst High Costs and Expert Skepticism

President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed the U.S. is performing exceptionally well in its war with Iran, stating in late July that the U.S. was "doing very well, very, very well" and would "finish off Iran pretty soon."

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We're doing very well against the Islamic Republic of Iran. We're doing extremely well.

However, the conflict has come at a significant cost. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth informed lawmakers that direct military expenditures reached at least $37.5 billion by mid-July. The war has also resulted in the deaths of 18 U.S. service members and left 624 wounded as of late July.

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We'll finish off Iran pretty soon. It's gonna happen.

While the U.S. has degraded Iran's conventional military assets, experts express skepticism about Trump's optimistic outlook. Iran has employed asymmetric warfare, using drones to target U.S. forces and allies, and has maintained significant capabilities. The obliteration of Iran's nuclear program and regime change have not been achieved. Furthermore, Iran has asserted control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

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The charitable assessment is that the administration would get an 'incomplete.' If the war were to end today, it would be a major strategic defeat by the administration's own metrics.

Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, suggested the administration would receive an "incomplete" grade for its efforts. He added that if the war ended now, it would represent a "major strategic defeat by the administration's own metrics." Barbara Slavin of the Stimson Center believes Iran has consistently outmaneuvered Trump, betting on its ability to endure longer than American consumers. The White House did not respond to inquiries for this article.

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the Iranians so far have consistently out-strategized Trump. They are betting that they can hold out longer than American consumers.