Trump pushes back on mounting criticism about his Iran war battle plan as conflict spreads

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday pushed back against mounting criticism that he hasn’t done enough to explain why it was necessary to start a war with Iran now or to articulate his vision for an endgame to the escalating conflict.

The frustration is coming not just from the political left but also from his “Make America Great Again” base, as the conflict expands, energy prices surge, and the death toll in the Middle East rises in a war that the administration suggests may only be in the opening stages.