Iran War Hits Six Months, Regime Stands

Inside the White House, the mood is described as sour. The Independent quoted a reporter saying the president "has been in a pretty frustrated mood for a while about Iran," and that the building is not a "happy environment."

Trump has kept up a public posture of victory. Political Wire described a Trump post showing him backed by an aircraft carrier, warplanes and American flags, with a corner image of former President George W. Bush beside a sign reading "Mission Not Accomplished 2001-2021."

On the right, the war's critics are taking a victory lap of their own. ZeroHedge argued the hawks' predictions "have aged like milk," writing that for weeks Americans were told the war was essential and that opposing it meant siding with the IRGC.

The Boston Globe reported that U.S. credibility with allies has suffered, along with Trump's own reputation for avoiding costly, open-ended Middle East wars.

Military families are living it week to week. Reuters described relatives of deployed troops riding a "roller coaster of emotions" across the six months.

Iranian Americans are split. CNN reported the diaspora remains divided over how the war started and what it has — or hasn't — accomplished, while USA Today found frustration and worry for relatives back home, summed up by one question in its headline: "Is there a plan?"