NewsUS NewsDonald TrumpDonald Trump in part won his campaign to return to the White House by claiming he would not get the US involved in another protracted conflict in the Middle East10:59, 20 May 2026Updated 11:08, 20 May 2026Iran's mullah's "smell" Donald Trump's weakness and are "playing him for the fool he is" as the war in the Middle East exposes flaws in Washington's strategy, an expert has said.‌Trump declared on Monday there was a "very good chance" negotiations with Iran could prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. While the ceasefire that began on April 8 has largely led to an end in open hostilities, it has exposed the US's inability to swiftly bring an end to the war.‌The US President has declared on multiple occasions the conflict is approaching its end, only for it to drag on - further draining the US of billions of dollars. Experts have questioned whether Trump's braggadocios style has harmed his efforts to bring an end to the conflict, having vowed "a whole civilisation will die tonight" unless Iran opened up the Strait of Hormuz - which remains closed despite the furious threat.‌READ MORE: Vladimir Putin 'can barely walk' as he arrives to meet Xi Jinping with 'pained shuffle'READ MORE: Melania Trump interrupts White House event for 'breaking news' announcement"The problem for Trump is that you can't keep on shouting at maximum volume, no one believes you any longer," security and defence expert professor Anthony Glees told The Mirror. "All you achieve is looking weak and as the threats pile up, weaker by the minute.Article continues below"Iran sees this and smells it, and they are playing him for the fool that he is."Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Middle EastDonald TrumpIran