The Impact of the Iran War on Washington’s Policy Toward Cuba

Previously, the US saw the Iran war as a model for “rapid regime change,” but the possible failure of this model can make its implementation in Cuba (without direct military intervention) doubtful.

That step declared Cuba an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security and imposed tariffs on supplying oil. Therefore, it created a severe energy and economic crisis.

The Iran War on February 28, 2026, or Operation Epic Fury — joint US-Israel campaign of airstrikes targeting Iran — marked a dangerous step in the US foreign policy priorities under Trump’s team. The Trump administration’s policy of “maximum pressure” towards Cuba has been continued, but the Iran war has had and will have a multidimensional effect on this policy.

The impacts of the Iran war on Washington politics

Cuba condemned the attacks on Iran, which was not pleasing to America. The attack on Iran has focused US diplomatic attention, resources, intelligence, and military capacity heavily on the Middle East. Therefore, in the first weeks of the war, it partly changed Washington’s immediate priorities and marginalized Cuba. The Iran War’s timing took full effect and temporarily diverted the US focus from Cuba.

Trump publicly demanded a “deal” and floated the idea of a “friendly takeover,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio continued the pressure. In fact, some of America’s ideas about the victory over Iran in the first weeks made the rhetoric of “regime change” and “Cuba is next” stand out. However, with the revelation of the challenges in the war with Iran,........

© New Eastern Outlook