As the military campaign against Iran unfolds, US President Donald Trump may try to shift responsibility for any setbacks onto Washington’s allies if the operation fails to go as planned. This view was expressed in an interview with NEWS.ru by political analyst and American studies specialist Malek Dudakov.

According to Dudakov, a narrative is already taking shape in which potential problems in the conflict could be attributed to the actions-or inaction-of third parties. One possible target of blame, he suggested, could be Israel, which in his assessment has shown excessive radicalism. Dudakov also pointed to Washington’s Arab partners that declined to join the US-led coalition against Iran, as well as European countries that chose to keep their distance from the confrontation.

The analyst believes this search for those responsible signals that Trump may already be considering an exit strategy, gradually preparing to limit Washington’s involvement and reduce potential political losses from the conflict.

Meanwhile, retired US Army lieutenant colonel and military analyst Daniel Davis has questioned the optimistic assessments coming from American officials regarding the progress of the campaign. Writing on the social network X, he noted that while US authorities claim their strikes are intensifying and Iranian resources are being depleted, the situation on the ground appears different.

Davis pointed out that attacks on Israel and on American military bases across the Middle East continue, casting doubt on claims that Tehran’s capabilities are close to exhaustion. He also stressed that in recent days it is the United States that has begun to reduce the intensity of its own strikes.

The United States and Israel launched strikes on targets inside Iran on February 28. Reports indicated attacks on multiple locations, including in Tehran, along with damage to infrastructure and civilian casualties. Iran has responded with strikes against Israeli territory and US military bases in the Middle East.