Letter: Three decisions by Trump that, the writer says, trapped the U.S. in a foreign-policy morass

A Honolulu Star-Advertiser letter writer, Jeffrey Griswold, identifies three policy choices by President Donald Trump that he contends have led the United States into a difficult and costly foreign-policy situation. The letter summarizes each action and its consequences as the author sees them, and concludes that the administration lacks an exit plan.

First decision: Ending the 2015 nuclear deal

The letter states that Trump terminated the 2015 nuclear agreement between world powers and Iran. Under that deal, Iran was limited to enriching uranium no higher than 3.67% and subject to international inspections. The writer says that after the agreement ended, Iran accelerated its enrichment program and now reportedly has enough highly enriched uranium to build 10 nuclear bombs.

Second decision: Expecting bombing to cause regime change

The letter criticizes a belief that military strikes or the assassination of Iran's supreme leader would produce regime change. Instead, the writer argues that removing Iran's leader led to the emergence of more radical and committed leadership rather than a weakened regime.

Third decision: Dismissing warnings about the Strait of Hormuz

The writer notes warnings that if Iran were attacked it could close the Strait of Hormuz. The letter claims this action would (and has) wreaked havoc on global energy markets. The writer adds that the war is unpopular domestically and that U.S. missile stockpiles are being depleted.

Griswold summarizes his view by saying the administration's decisions combined to create a "mess" for which it has no clear plan to escape. The letter is presented as a short opinion judgment rather than a detailed policy analysis.

• The letter contrasts the 3.67% enrichment cap under the 2015 deal with the 5% level needed for civilian power generation, implying the original deal kept Iran well below thresholds relevant for weapons programs.
• The letter uses reported figures (the writer says Iran "now reportedly" has enough material for 10 bombs) but does not cite a specific source within the text.
• The piece frames the war's unpopularity and military supply issues as additional consequences of the three decisions.

The letter highlights three practical concerns policymakers face: nuclear material accumulation, escalation and regime response after targeted killings, and economic disruptions tied to chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. For readers, the letter is a concise critique of a set of administration choices and their immediate, observable effects as described by the author.