Axios:

Trump expected a quick victory in his war with Iran, but the conflict increasingly resembles an "escalation trap." In such situations, the stronger military continues to ramp up attacks to prove its superiority, even when strategic benefits diminish.

Unlike tariffs or political conflicts, war cannot be easily reversed. Iran can prolong the conflict by blocking major oil routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, or by continuing missile strikes, meaning the outcome is not entirely under Trump's control.

Despite American and Israeli militaries currently possessing clear superiority, Trump so far has no obvious way to declare a convincing victory.

Behind the scenes, some officials are suffering from "buyer's remorse," fearing that the decision to attack Iran was a mistake and that Trump overestimated his ability to overthrow the regime without deploying ground forces.