Iran expert says Trump's 'war of choice' has morphed into a 'war of necessity'

NPR
by Terry Gross
March 17, 2026
1 min read

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Iran policy expert says Trump's conflict has shifted from a 'war of choice' to a 'war of necessity' with Strait blocked.

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Karim Sadjadpour, a policy expert, has characterized the conflict in Iran as shifting from a "war of choice" into a "war of necessity," citing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as evidence of escalating complexity. Sadjadpour suggested President Trump may not have fully anticipated the scope of the situation when the conflict began. The expert's assessment underscores the unpredictable nature of the escalating tensions in the region, with critical shipping routes now disrupted.

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