For the second time in recent days, President Trump declared that one of the key objectives of the war had been accomplished.

© Doug Mills/The New York Times

President Trump suggested that Iran’s current leaders were “much more reasonable” as he sought to show progress in his war aims. Iran’s power structure appears firmly in control despite a month of U.S.-Israeli attacks.

© Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times

As the conflict with Iran expands and intensifies, President Trump’s options — to fight on, or to move toward declaring victory and pulling back — both carry deeply problematic consequences.