Trump ties the US into a Gordian knot in Iran

The U.S.-Iranian standoff has reached the end of the road. Last week’s negotiations failed to impress the Trump administration. In concert with Israel, the U.S. began what may be an extended military campaign against a wide range of Iranian targets.  

Ironically, President Trump faced a modern-day equivalent of the famous Gordian knot that Alexander The Great cut with a swift stroke of his sword. Trump must believe his sword to sever the impasse with Iran has been forged by the U.S. military.

Operation Epic Fury may prove to be unfortunately named. Operation Urgent Fury in October 1983 was meant to save U.S. students in Grenada who turned out not to be in danger. Like that operation, this administration’s strategy has questionable aims.

The intention is to fracture the regime’s leadership, enabling Iranians to regain control of the country. But suppose that fails? Then what? The fall back position is to coerce Iran’s new leadership to return to the bargaining table.

But even with the confirmed killing of Ayatollah Ali Khameni, the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, achieving either outcome is uncertain.

Last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer did not dislodge Tehran’s leadership. Cautions reportedly made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, about the negative consequences of any attack were quickly rejected by the White House. And Vice President JD Vance telegraphed that this operation will not lead to a wider war.  

Iran’s leadership, as well as its command-and-control networks and key military facilities, are obvious targets. Yet the administration........

© The Hill