Trump and senior figures in his administration castigated previous presidents for dragging the U.S. into protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His administration says this time will be different.

In the weeks leading up to President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran and in the frenetic days since, the president and his administration have offered several evolving explanations — at times exaggerated or at odds with US intelligence — to justify why the attacks were necessary and what the US ultimately hopes to achieve.

President Donald Trump has said the military operation in Iran may go on for several weeks. He is already unpopular. What is his approval rating?

The Islamic Republic is aiming to draw out the conflict and broaden the fighting. That would drive up the jeopardy for President Trump in terms of casualties and political capital.

With a weaker economy than in his first term, the president's actions in Iran could create a "lame‑duck" feel.

Nancy Pelosi defended Obama's Libya strikes without congressional approval in 2011, but now is condemning Trump's Iran operation — both carried out without congress' say-so.

Three American service members have been killed and casualties are reported in the UAE, Israel and Kuwait as Israel and Iran continue to trade strikes.

President Donald Trump said the United States has the ability to fight Iran "forever" without running out of weapons, as the widening Middle East war is causing oil prices to soar and the stock market to crumble.