Analyst warns Iran war could leave Trump's successor an entrenched conflict

Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy warned that Trump had broken a constraint against launching another major, open-ended Middle East war after Iraq and Afghanistan. He said the consequence could be an entrenched confrontation between the United States and Iran inherited by Trump's successor.

Administration officials have rejected the comparison with earlier wars. They have said the campaign against Iran is unlike the prolonged military engagements that followed the September 11 attacks.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump had achieved all his objectives in confronting Iran over its nuclear program. She also said intensified sanctions and a United States maritime blockade were crippling Iran's economy.

Mark Dubowitz, head of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, also defended Trump. He rejected the suggestion that the president had drawn the United States into an endless war and argued that military successes would ultimately produce victory.