Iran déjà vu: Trump once again threatens massive escalation against Tehran only to walk backSTILL TITLED: WAR WITH IRAN, Graphic Date: 03/03/2026 (Credit: VECTEEZY, MGN) iran warWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has played this hand before during the 5-month-old Iran war. But the tactic is facing a challenge with an Iranian theocracy that believes it holds a higher threshold for strategic pain than Washington. Critics see Trump reaching for a reset button in this patternTrump may still come to the conclusion that a massive escalation in the conflict with Iran is necessary. As Trump threatens escalation, Republicans face tough pollingTrump has insisted that November’s midterm elections aren’t shaping his approach to the conflict that’s spurred unease across the global economy. One of Trump’s most outspoken allies on Capitol Hill suggested on Sunday the administration needs to modulate its approach on Iran.