Donald Trump, throughout his second presidency, has frequently bragged about how many wars he’s ended, while demanding to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
And now, he’s threatening to launch a new war.
According to Axios, “the Trump administration is closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize. It could begin very soon.” Trump had bombed Iran’s nuclear sites last summer, although it did not lead to a protracted war between the countries.
My own feelings on this are complicated, but the Trump Administration is insane if it thinks it can launch a major ongoing war in Iran without any major domestic consequences. The American public isn’t remotely ready for that. https://t.co/bwvVKschpf
— Arieh Kovler (@ariehkovler) February 18, 2026
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“A U.S. military operation in Iran would likely be a massive, weeks-long campaign that would look more like full-fledged war than last month’s pinpoint operation in Venezuela, sources say,” Axios said. “The sources noted it would likely be a joint U.S.-Israeli campaign that’s much broader in scope — and more existential for the regime — than the Israeli-led 12-day war last June, which the U.S. eventually joined to take out Iran’s underground nuclear facilities.”
Trump first ran for office in 2015 and 2016, assailing the Iraq war and vowing to avoid long wars, especially those seeking regime change. But the idea of going to war in Iran seems geared towards removing the current regime.
Trump moves closer to a major war with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Trump administration is closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize.
It could begin very soon.
Full Story: https://t.co/yYpA3ONbPz pic.twitter.com/1IWvBxhjXz
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) February 18, 2026
“Trump came close to striking Iran in early January over the killing of thousands of protesters by the regime,” the report said. “But when the window of opportunity passed, the administration shifted to a two-track approach: nuclear talks paired with a massive military build-up… by delaying and bringing so much force to bear, Trump has raised expectations for what an operation will look like if a deal can’t be reached. And right now, a deal does not look likely.”
That military buildup, so far, “has grown to include two aircraft carriers, a dozen warships, hundreds of fighter jets and multiple air defense systems.,” with more on the way.
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
