Donald Trump confronts setbacks in US policy toward Iran and Turkey

President Donald Trump had earlier warned of unleashing a massive attack on Tehran, claiming Iran’s leaders had not been sufficiently pressured. In recent statements he acknowledged that the United States lacks viable military options to force Iran, highlighting the difficulty of delivering the promised "fire and fury."

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed that Turkey remains ineligible to receive the F‑35 Lightning II fighter jets. Ankara has not satisfied the legal requirements, chiefly the removal of Russian S‑400 air‑defence systems purchased in 2019, which blocked its access under U.S. law. Congressional restrictions and concerns from allies such as Israel further impede any transfer.

Both developments illustrate the challenges the United States faces in executing its foreign‑policy objectives under Trump’s administration across the Middle East and the broader NATO alliance.