Douglas Silliman, former US ambassador to Iraq and Kuwait, warned a US war on Iran without a clear strategy risks Washington becoming trapped in shifting objectives. He said Trump began the campaign without a concrete strategy beyond toppling Tehran; when the regime did not collapse Trump floated “five or six” alternate goals and has since refocused on “reopening the Strait of Hormuz” and “reducing or eliminating” Iran’s nuclear program through negotiations. Whether this is a sharpening of aims or a lowering of the bar depends on perspective: White House Republicans view it as more precise; outside critics see early strategic confusion followed by lowered standards to enable an exit.(金十数据)