How Iran Aims To Win The War – OpEd |
The success or failure of the US-Israeli military operation in Iran hangs in the balance. It is very largely dependent upon how ”success” is finally adjudged.
Since February 28 the Iranian regime has sustained a massive armed offensive, and as a result its resources and its infrastructure have been substantially depleted. US President Donald Trump has on several occasions detailed the vast losses Iran has incurred, and hinted that he is on the verge of declaring victory. At other times he has indicated that he has considerably more in reserve by way of military power, including the possible use of American troops, to be used in loosening Iran’s grip on international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and ensuring the unconditional surrender of the regime.
Trump has been criticized for the apparent inconsistency of his various statements, which to some seem ill considered. They are, however, just as likely to be a deliberate strategy aimed at keeping the enemy, and perhaps the world at large, guessing as to his calculated and detailed plans for the end-game.
Meanwhile Iran, far from seeking as early an end to the war as possible – on the face of it the obvious course to follow – is continuing to attack states that host Western military bases and to disrupt international shipping and thus the global oil market. On March 15 foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran had “never asked for a ceasefire”.
In fact the regime seems to be conducting what Eric Mandel, writing in the Jerusalem Post on March 16, calls “a war of attrition”. The loss of its current leadership through targeted........