“Trump chose an avoidable war over a good deal.”

Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute, stated in a March 1, 2026 analysis that former US President Donald Trump chose an avoidable war with Iran over accepting a diplomatic agreement that would have granted him a major foreign policy victory, as Iran had offered significant nuclear concessions that could have been presented as a triumph for US interests. According to Parsi's assessment, Iran was prepared to make substantial compromises on its nuclear program during Trump's presidency, offering concessions that went beyond what many international observers expected. The Iranian proposals, which were not publicly detailed by Parsi but described as 'major,' potentially represented an opportunity for Trump to claim a decisive diplomatic achievement without resorting to military escalation. Instead, Trump administration officials pursued a policy of maximum pressure that ultimately led to heightened tensions and the collapse of the existing nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Parsi suggests that this approach was driven by a desire for submission rather than genuine advancement of American interests, as the administration rejected diplomatic opportunities that could have strengthened US security without resorting to conflict.