Administration in two minds on tackling enemies

'Over the past two years, Trump’s threats have often been read as the opening salvos in negotiations.' Photo: Reuters/Carlos Barria

Ishaan Tharoor

Talk of war with Iran seemed to subside in Washington over the past week. As is his wont, US President Donald Trump lambasted media coverage of his administration's moves against the regime in Tehran. But in doing so he also seemed to push back against an aggressive agenda set by his national security adviser John Bolton.

Then on Sunday, possibly goaded by a segment on Fox News, Trump launched another broadside on Twitter, warning that conflict between the two countries would mark "the official end of Iran".