Retired Brig. Gen. Says Trump 'Completely Mismanaged' U.S. Campaign Against Iran, Warns Conflict Could Drag On

Retired Brig. Gen. Steven Anderson on Monday sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the U.S. campaign against Iran, saying the administration "completely mismanaged" the effort and has weakened American influence abroad.

Remarks on MS NOW

Speaking on MS NOW's program The Weeknight with host and former RNC chair Michael Steele, Anderson said the White House failed to coordinate with Congress, the American public and international partners before taking military action.

"He has completely mismanaged this war… he’s now having problems calling on the allies to help bail him out," Anderson said. "He didn’t coordinate ahead of time with the American people or Congress. He did not successfully build any kind of coalition other than with the Israelis."

Coalition Experience and Concerns

Anderson drew on his experience serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he said 32 nations fought alongside U.S. forces and that broad international cooperation made a meaningful difference. He argued that today’s approach lacks that same multinational backing and warned European leaders would face political risk for openly backing the administration.

Outlook: A Protracted Campaign

Comparing the Iran campaign to the U.S. response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Anderson said the administration has "stuck its hand in a hornet's nest" and will likely need outside help to sustain operations. He predicted the U.S. would still be debating the campaign in roughly three months and that the conflict could be long-lasting.

Allies, Bases And The Strait Of Hormuz

Since the initial U.S. strike on Feb. 28, Trump has publicly criticized the United Kingdom and Spain for denying use of their bases to U.S. vehicles and personnel. The president has also claimed that "many countries" are sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect shipping; he said some nations had offered assistance but declined to name them, suggesting France might be willing to help.

Several longtime partners, including Australia and Japan, have expressed skepticism about joining a U.S.-led coalition. On the program, Trump was quoted as saying, "I think we have one or two that will not do it that we’ve been protecting for about 40 years at tens of billions of dollars," without providing further detail.

Implications

Anderson’s comments underscore divisions over strategy and the challenges of assembling broad international support. As diplomatic and military developments continue, questions about coalition-building, congressional oversight and the campaign’s duration are likely to remain central.