From bad to worse: On Donald Trump and the war on Iran

Trump cannot achieve with diplomacy (कूटनीति) what he failed to get through war

When Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu launched (प्रारम्भ करना, शुरू करना) the war on Iran on February 28, their objectives (उद्देश्य, लक्ष्य) were sweeping: (व्यापक, दूरगामी) regime (शासन, शासन-व्यवस्था) change in Tehran, the dismantling (ध्वस्त करना, समाप्त करना) of Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes, and the curbing (नियंत्रण, रोकथाम) of its support for regional non-state (गैर-राज्यीय, गैर-सरकारी) allies. In the early days of the conflict (संघर्ष, युद्ध), Mr. Trump ruled out (खारिज करना, संभावना समाप्त करना) any agreement with Iran and demanded its “unconditional (बिना शर्त, निरपेक्ष) surrender (आत्मसमर्पण, समर्पण)”. The war went so badly for Washington (the capital of the United States, used here metonymically to refer to the US government; US government, US administration, US regime, USA) that, three months later, Mr. Trump is negotiating a temporary ceasefire (युद्धविराम, संघर्षविराम) extension (prolongation, lengthening, expansion, continuation) and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz (a strategically important, narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, crucial for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments) in exchange for (in return for something; in return for, in consideration of, as a replacement for, in trade for) economic concessions (a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; compromise, allowance, yielding, grant) to Tehran (the capital of Iran, used here metonymically to refer to the Iranian government; Iranian government, Iranian administration, Iranian regime, Iran). According to a draft (describing a preliminary version of a piece of writing or document; preliminary, rough, unfinalized, working) MoU reported by U.S. media, Iran would restore (to bring back or re-establish a previous right, practice, or situation; reinstate, bring back, reinstitute, re-establish) maritime (naval, marine, nautical, seafaring) traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels, while the U.S. would gradually (slowly, progressively, steadily, bit by bit) lift (to remove or officially end a restriction, rule, or ban; remove, withdraw, revoke, cancel) its blockade (an act or means of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving; siege, barrier, barricade, restriction) of Iranian ports (harbour, dock, anchorage). Tehran would also get access to its frozen funds (financial assets that cannot be accessed or used due to legal, regulatory, or political restrictions; blocked assets, seized funds, restricted accounts, inaccessible capital), while the ceasefire would be extended on all fronts (a particular area of activity; arena, sphere, field, domain), including Lebanon. Yet, even if approved by both sides, the agreement is only a preliminary one. Mr. Trump no longer (not anymore; not now, not at present, finished, over) speaks of Iran’s missile (a weapon that is self-propelled or directed by remote control, carrying an explosive payload; projectile) programme or its support for its regional allies. His focus has narrowed (to become or make more limited or restricted in extent or scope; decrease, restrict, limit, reduce) to the nuclear issue, essentially the line (a policy or a course of action adopted by a government or organization; policy, approach, stance, position) Barack Obama adopted (embrace, take on, accept, assume) in 2013, culminating (to reach a climax or point of highest development; peak, climax, conclude, end up) in the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, which Mr. Trump sabotaged (to deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something; destroy, disrupt, ruin, undermine) in 2018. Once the MoU is reached, Iran and the U.S. would start serious direct negotiations (talks, discussions, parley, dialogue) on the nuclear issue.

Mr. Trump’s military campaign (a series of military operations intended to achieve a particular objective; operation, offensive, push, drive) has failed to achieve any of its declared (openly stated or announced; stated, announced, explicit, proclaimed) objectives. By striking U.S. bases (a place used as a center of operations by the armed forces; headquarters, camp, station, installation) across the Persian Gulf (a highly strategic and geopolitical arm of the Arabian Sea located between the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern Iran, significant for its vast reserves of crude oil and natural gas; Gulf, sea lane, maritime region, oil-rich basin) and taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran widened (expand, broaden, extend, enlarge) the conflict regionally and economically. Mr. Trump announced the ceasefire on April 8, likely (probably or seemingly; probably, in all probability, presumably, doubtlessly) realising that air strikes (to attack suddenly and typically with military force; attack, hit, bombard, assault) would achieve little, and has tried to extract (wring, obtain, exact, force) concessions from Iran through economic and military pressure. But Iran responded (react, retaliate) in kind (in the same way or with something similar; similarly, equivalently, correspondingly, alike). After Mr. Trump announced a blockade on Iranian ports, Tehran cancelled negotiations and pushed the nuclear file (the dossier or ongoing diplomatic portfolio concerning a country’s nuclear program; nuclear issue, nuclear portfolio, atomic program dossier, nuclear negotiations) down its list of priorities (prime concern, paramount importance, precedence, preference). That Washington is now negotiating, through Pakistan, an MoU to extend the ceasefire and then take up (to resume, begin to deal with, or start a task or discussion; resume, restart, commence, proceed with) the nuclear file suggests (to put forward for consideration; imply, indicate, hint, propose) that Tehran’s hardline (uncompromising, strict, and unyielding in one’s views or political stances; uncompromising, strict, inflexible, tough) tactics (an action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end; strategy, scheme, maneuver) are yielding (to produce or provide a result, gain, or effect; produce, generate, bear) results. Tehran had previously engaged (to participate or become involved in; participate, take part, involve oneself, join in) constructively (positively, productively, usefully, helpfully) with the U.S. When Mr. Trump unilaterally (performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a situation, without the agreement of another or the others; independently, solely, single-handedly, autonomously) withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was compliant (obedient, accommodating, cooperative, yielding) with its obligations (duty, commitment, responsibility, requirement), and in early 2025 and February 2026, it was engaged in talks (negotiations, discussions, dialogue, consultations). So, if the U.S. seeks (to attempt or desire to obtain or achieve something; try, aim, attempt, strive) a deal, it must address (to think about and begin to deal with an issue or problem; tackle, confront, deal with, handle) the trust deficit (a lack of trust or confidence between groups, organizations, or individuals; lack of faith, suspicion, skepticism, mistrust) and proceed (go ahead, move forward, continue, progress) on the basis of mutual concessions. If Mr. Trump is serious about (sincerely committed to or resolute concerning a subject or intent; committed to, earnest about, determined about, dedicated to) a negotiated (brokered, arranged, mediated, settled) settlement (agreement, resolution, deal, compromise), a deal is within reach (able to be achieved or accomplished; attainable, achievable, accessible, possible). But if he seeks to achieve through diplomacy what he failed to secure (to succeed in obtaining or achieving something, especially with difficulty; obtain, acquire, gain, get) through war, he risks (to act in such a way as to bring about the possibility of an unpleasant or unwelcome event; gamble, jeopardize, hazard, chance) entangling (to involve someone in difficulties or complicated circumstances from which it is difficult to escape; embroil, implicate, involve, enmesh) the U.S. in yet another (one more in addition to others; one more, an additional, another, a further) forever (continuing or lasting indefinitely; endless, perpetual, never-ending, persistent) war.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.diplomacy (noun)

Hindi Meaning - कूटनीति
English Meaning - the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country’s representatives abroad; statecraft, international relations, foreign policy.

2.negotiate (verb)

Hindi Meaning - वार्ता करना
English Meaning - to try to reach an agreement or compromise by discussion; discuss, broker.

3.launch (verb)

Hindi Meaning - प्रारम्भ करना, शुरू करना
English Meaning - to start or set in motion; initiate, begin, start, commence.

4.objective (noun)

Hindi Meaning - उद्देश्य, लक्ष्य
English Meaning - aim, purpose, target, intention.

5.sweeping (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - व्यापक, दूरगामी
English Meaning - comprehensive, extensive, far-reaching, all-inclusive.

6.regime (noun)

Hindi Meaning - शासन, शासन-व्यवस्था
English Meaning - government, administration, establishment, system.

7.ceasefire (noun)

Hindi Meaning - युद्धविराम, संघर्षविराम
English Meaning - a temporary suspension of fighting; truce, armistice, suspension of hostilities.

8.dismantle (verb)

Hindi Meaning - ध्वस्त करना, समाप्त करना
English Meaning - deconstruct, demolish, take apart, destroy.

9.curbing (noun)

Hindi Meaning - नियंत्रण, रोकथाम
English Meaning - the act of restraining or keeping something in check; restraining, restricting, limiting, containing.

10.non-state (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - गैर-राज्यीय, गैर-सरकारी
English Meaning - relating to an organization or entity that is not a recognized state or government; non-governmental, independent, private, unofficial.

11.ally (noun)

Hindi Meaning - सहयोगी, मित्र राष्ट्र
English Meaning - a state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose; partner, supporter, confederate, associate.

12.conflict (noun)

Hindi Meaning - संघर्ष, युद्ध
English Meaning - armed conflict, war, warfare, battle, fight; dispute, quarrel, struggle, confrontation.

13.rule out (phrasal verb)

Hindi Meaning - खारिज करना, संभावना समाप्त करना
English Meaning - exclude, eliminate, dismiss, reject.

14.unconditional (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - बिना शर्त, निरपेक्ष
English Meaning - not subject to any conditions; absolute, unrestricted, unquestioning, unreserved.

15.surrender (noun)

Hindi Meaning - आत्मसमर्पण, समर्पण
English Meaning - capitulation, submission, yielding, concession.

16.get through (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to achieve or accomplish something, especially in difficult circumstances; succeed, manage, accomplish, attain.

17.dismantling (noun)

English Meaning - deconstruction, disassembly, breakdown, abolition.

18.Tehran (proper noun)

English Meaning - the capital of Iran, used here metonymically to refer to the Iranian government; Iranian government, Iranian administration, Iranian regime, Iran.

19.missile (noun)

English Meaning - a weapon that is self-propelled or directed by remote control, carrying an explosive payload; projectile.

20.go badly for (phrase)

English Meaning - to develop in an unfavorable or unsuccessful way for someone; fail, backfire, flop, miscarry.

21.Washington (proper noun)

English Meaning - the capital of the United States, used here metonymically to refer to the US government; US government, US administration, US regime, USA.

22.extension (noun)

English Meaning - prolongation, lengthening, expansion, continuation.

23.Strait of Hormuz (proper noun)

English Meaning - a strategically important, narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, crucial for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

24.in exchange for (phrase)

English Meaning - in return for something; in return for, in consideration of, as a replacement for, in trade for.

25.concession (noun)

English Meaning - a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; compromise, allowance, yielding, grant.

26.draft (adjective)

English Meaning - describing a preliminary version of a piece of writing or document; preliminary, rough, unfinalized, working.

27.Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (noun)

English Meaning - a formal but typically non-binding agreement between two or more parties outlining the shared intent and preliminary terms before a formal contract is signed; letter of intent, preliminary agreement, mutual agreement.

28.restore (verb)

English Meaning - to bring back or re-establish a previous right, practice, or situation; reinstate, bring back, reinstitute, re-establish.

29.maritime (adjective)

English Meaning - naval, marine, nautical, seafaring.

30.gradually (adverb)

English Meaning - slowly, progressively, steadily, bit by bit.

31.lift (verb)

English Meaning - to remove or officially end a restriction, rule, or ban; remove, withdraw, revoke, cancel.

32.blockade (noun)

English Meaning - an act or means of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving; siege, barrier, barricade, restriction.

33.port (noun)

English Meaning - harbour, dock, anchorage.

34.frozen funds (noun)

English Meaning - financial assets that cannot be accessed or used due to legal, regulatory, or political restrictions; blocked assets, seized funds, restricted accounts, inaccessible capital.

35.front (noun)

English Meaning - a particular area of activity; arena, sphere, field, domain.

36.no longer (phrase)

English Meaning - not anymore; not now, not at present, finished, over.

37.speak of (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to mention or discuss something; mention, talk about, discuss, refer to.

38.narrow (verb)

English Meaning - to become or make more limited or restricted in extent or scope; decrease, restrict, limit, reduce.

39.line (noun)

English Meaning - a policy or a course of action adopted by a government or organization; policy, approach, stance, position.

40.adopt (verb)

English Meaning - embrace, take on, accept, assume.

41.culminate (verb)

English Meaning - to reach a climax or point of highest development; peak, climax, conclude, end up.

42.sabotage (verb)

English Meaning - to deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something; destroy, disrupt, ruin, undermine.

43.negotiation (noun)

English Meaning - talks, discussions, parley, dialogue.

44.campaign (noun)

English Meaning - a series of military operations intended to achieve a particular objective; operation, offensive, push, drive.

45.declared (adjective)

English Meaning - openly stated or announced; stated, announced, explicit, proclaimed.

46.strike (verb)

English Meaning - to attack suddenly and typically with military force; attack, hit, bombard, assault.

47.base (noun)

English Meaning - a place used as a center of operations by the armed forces; headquarters, camp, station, installation.

48.Persian Gulf (proper noun)

English Meaning - a highly strategic and geopolitical arm of the Arabian Sea located between the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern Iran, significant for its vast reserves of crude oil and natural gas; Gulf, sea lane, maritime region, oil-rich basin.

49.take control of (phrase)

English Meaning - to gain authority, dominance, or command over something; dominate, govern, command, seize.

50.widen (verb)

English Meaning - expand, broaden, extend, enlarge.

51.likely (adverb)

English Meaning - probably or seemingly; probably, in all probability, presumably, doubtlessly.

52.air strike (noun)

English Meaning - an attack made by aircraft; bombing, bombardment, air attack, aerial assault.

53.extract (verb)

English Meaning - wring, obtain, exact, force.

54.respond (verb)

English Meaning - react, retaliate.

55.in kind (phrase)

English Meaning - in the same way or with something similar; similarly, equivalently, correspondingly, alike.

56.push down (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to lower the priority, level, or amount of something; demote, downgrade, lower, minimize.

57.nuclear file (noun)

English Meaning - the dossier or ongoing diplomatic portfolio concerning a country’s nuclear program; nuclear issue, nuclear portfolio, atomic program dossier, nuclear negotiations.

58.priority (noun)

English Meaning - prime concern, paramount importance, precedence, preference.

59.take up (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to resume, begin to deal with, or start a task or discussion; resume, restart, commence, proceed with.

60.suggest (verb)

English Meaning - to put forward for consideration; imply, indicate, hint, propose.

61.hardline (adjective)

English Meaning - uncompromising, strict, and unyielding in one’s views or political stances; uncompromising, strict, inflexible, tough.

62.tactic (noun)

English Meaning - an action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end; strategy, scheme, maneuver.

63.yield (verb)

English Meaning - to produce or provide a result, gain, or effect; produce, generate, bear.

64.engage (verb)

English Meaning - to participate or become involved in; participate, take part, involve oneself, join in.

65.constructively (adverb)

English Meaning - positively, productively, usefully, helpfully.

66.unilaterally (adverb)

English Meaning - performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a situation, without the agreement of another or the others; independently, solely, single-handedly, autonomously.

67.withdraw (verb)

English Meaning - pull out, leave, retreat, pull back.

68.compliant (adjective)

English Meaning - obedient, accommodating, cooperative, yielding.

69.obligation (noun)

English Meaning - duty, commitment, responsibility, requirement.

70.talks (noun)

English Meaning - negotiations, discussions, dialogue, consultations.

71.seek (verb)

English Meaning - to attempt or desire to obtain or achieve something; try, aim, attempt, strive.

72.address (verb)

English Meaning - to think about and begin to deal with an issue or problem; tackle, confront, deal with, handle.

73.trust deficit (noun)

English Meaning - a lack of trust or confidence between groups, organizations, or individuals; lack of faith, suspicion, skepticism, mistrust.

74.proceed (verb)

English Meaning - go ahead, move forward, continue, progress.

75.serious about (phrase)

English Meaning - sincerely committed to or resolute concerning a subject or intent; committed to, earnest about, determined about, dedicated to.

76.negotiated (adjective)

English Meaning - brokered, arranged, mediated, settled.

77.settlement (noun)

English Meaning - agreement, resolution, deal, compromise.

78.within reach (phrase)

English Meaning - able to be achieved or accomplished; attainable, achievable, accessible, possible.

79.secure (verb)

English Meaning - to succeed in obtaining or achieving something, especially with difficulty; obtain, acquire, gain, get.

80.risk (verb)

English Meaning - to act in such a way as to bring about the possibility of an unpleasant or unwelcome event; gamble, jeopardize, hazard, chance.

81.entangle (verb)

English Meaning - to involve someone in difficulties or complicated circumstances from which it is difficult to escape; embroil, implicate, involve, enmesh.

82.yet another (phrase)

English Meaning - one more in addition to others; one more, an additional, another, a further.

83.forever (adjective)

English Meaning - continuing or lasting indefinitely; endless, perpetual, never-ending, persistent.