Trump Ignored Security Experts Before Iran Conflict, Officials Say

WHO:

Alternet - President Donald Trump, Secretary of State and Acting National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff, Laura Loomer, four veterans of Trump's second term, Robert Malley, Nate Swanson, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

WHAT:

Alternet - Trump ordered airstrikes against Iran in late February.

CNN - Trump slashed the National Security Council's (NSC) staff from roughly 200 to less than half.

CNN - The NSC was "largely gutted" in the lead-up to the war with Iran.

CNN - About a fifth of the world’s oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

CNN - Trump announced a framework agreement between the US and Iran ahead of a planned formal signing on Friday.

WHERE:

CNN - The Strait of Hormuz, Middle East, Washington D.C. (Eisenhower Executive Office Building).

WHEN:

CNN - The US attack on Iran occurred on February 28.

WHY:

Alternet - Experts warned that a war with Iran would be more complicated than the Iraq invasion.

CNN - Trump made cuts to the NSC at the behest of Laura Loomer, who claimed the NSC was full of people inadequately loyal to Trump.

HOW:

CNN - Trump leaned on a small group of close allies for strategy discussions instead of utilizing the NSC.

CNN - The NSC was designed to gather information from across the government to consider the consequences of military action.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 17:59 UTC)

President Trump has ordered airstrikes against Iran, following a significant reduction of the National Security Council's staff from around 200 members to less than half, a move that experts warn could complicate the situation more than the Iraq invasion. The airstrikes took place on February 28, and Trump is set to announce a framework agreement with Iran ahead of a formal signing scheduled for Friday. This shift in strategy comes as Trump has relied more on a small circle of close allies for military discussions, rather than the traditionally broader approach of the National Security Council.