Iran, Not Trump, Is in Control of This War
The article argues that Iran, not the Trump administration, holds the strategic advantage in the current conflict, as Tehran can dictate the pace and escalation of hostilities while the U.S. struggles to define its objectives or endgame.
Background
- Iran and the U.S. have been locked in a shadow conflict since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with tensions spiking after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018 and ordered the 2020 killing of Iran general Qassem Soleimani.
- "Axis of Resistance": Iran's network of allied militias and governments across the Middle East — including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shia militias in Iraq and Syria.
- The author argues that despite U.S. military superiority, Iran has successfully set the terms of engagement by using proxy attacks while avoiding full-scale war, forcing Washington to react rather than dictate events.