Steven Erlanger

As the war sputters on, an internal report from the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran’s refusal to grant access to its inspectors was an urgent concern.

Trump’s replacement of a military war with a heightened economic one is not expected to alter Iran’s strategy, while further impoverishing its people.

Iran has survived decades of sanctions. Faced with more, it is likely to escalate rather than surrender, analysts said.

French, German and British diplomats are working on a format for future negotiations — even if Russia has shown little interest.

The Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s best leverage to get Washington to release Iran’s frozen assets, lift economic sanctions and end its naval blockade.

With none of President Trump’s aims accomplished and the Strait of Hormuz closed, U.S. allies see dysfunction and vulnerability from the war.

President Trump, who promised to “end wars,” not start them, may have fallen into a familiar presidential trap.

While President Trump insulted allies and demanded loyalty, the military alliance moved quietly closer to accepting more European responsibility for defense.

The focus at a leaders’ summit in Turkey this week will be on building a new model for the alliance, as President Trump pushes to do less and pressures others do more.

Secretary General Mark Rutte is headed to Washington. His style has at times frustrated the very European leaders who need him to hold the alliance together.