Trump draws backlash for comment on Iran war: ‘Maybe we shouldn’t even be there’ - The Guardian

The Guardian
March 16, 2026
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3 min read

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Trump faced criticism for suggesting the US maybe shouldn't be involved in Iran.

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President Trump faced criticism after suggesting the United States "maybe shouldn't even be there" regarding potential military involvement in Iran. The comment represents a departure from traditional Republican foreign policy positions that have typically favored a strong military presence in the Middle East to counter Iranian influence. Trump's remarks have drawn backlash from both foreign policy hawks within his own party and critics who view the statement as potentially undermining U.S. allies in the region. The comments come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran over nuclear negotiations and regional security issues. Trump's isolationist-leaning approach to Middle East policy continues to create friction with establishment foreign policy voices in both parties.

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