‘No Unity’ on Iran Strategy: Trump Reportedly Frustrated With Top Advisers

Trump Frustrated as Iran War Drags On, Report Claims Deep Divisions Among Advisers

US President Donald Trump is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated as the conflict with Iran enters its sixth month, with disagreements emerging among his senior advisers over how to end the war and define the next phase of US strategy.

According to an NBC News report, Trump had expected Tehran to return to negotiations much earlier. However, the conflict has continued without a clear resolution, leaving parts of his administration divided over the way forward.

‘The President Is Exasperated’: Report

An unnamed Trump ally told NBC News that the president did not anticipate such a prolonged conflict.

“The president is exasperated. I don’t think he believed it was going to be this difficult to get the Iranians to agree to a deal,” the ally said.

The source also claimed that the administration lacked a clear plan for how long the conflict would continue or how to reach an end point.

A US official, speaking anonymously, said the biggest challenge facing the administration was the absence of consensus over the future course of action.

“After all this time, there is no unity,” the official was quoted as saying, adding that while there had been tactical gains, the lack of a broader strategy risked becoming a strategic setback.

Report Claims Trump Lost His Temper in Security Meeting

NBC News reported that Trump became highly frustrated during a recent meeting with his national security team and allegedly lashed out at officials over the lack of progress.

However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the report, calling it false.

“The president has a great team whom he trusts, and everyone on the team knows he’s the final decision-maker,” she said.

Leavitt defended Trump’s approach towards Iran, saying the administration would continue applying pressure until Tehran changed its actions.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also denied reports of internal disagreements, saying Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine remained united on Iran policy.

Conflict Continues Despite Calls for Negotiations

The war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, followed by retaliatory attacks from Tehran and a prolonged military standoff. The confrontation has since expanded into a broader crisis involving regional security concerns and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump had repeatedly promised during his 2024 presidential campaign that he would avoid prolonged foreign conflicts. However, the military operation against Iran, which he initially described as limited, has continued for months.

Despite Trump’s claims that Iran is willing to negotiate, Tehran has continued its military operations while refusing to agree to a breakthrough deal.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump warned that the US would continue using force if necessary, saying Iran would face severe consequences unless it changed course.

Two Camps Emerge Within Trump Administration

The NBC report said two broad groups have emerged within Trump’s team over the future of the conflict.

One faction, reportedly supported by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, favours increasing military pressure on Iran. This approach has also been associated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position, though reports suggested Netanyahu did not push for expanded action during his recent meeting with Trump.

The other group, including Vice President JD Vance and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, is described as more cautious. Concerns have reportedly been raised about exhausting US weapons stockpiles and continuing military operations without a clear long-term objective.

The divisions highlight growing uncertainty within Washington over whether to intensify pressure on Iran or pursue a diplomatic path to bring the conflict to an end.