Iran strikes unleashed a war the US cannot control

On Feb. 28, the Trump administration launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran but has yet to articulate clear, comprehensive strategic objectives. President Donald Trump’s initial statement, released that Saturday morning, cited efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and the destruction of its ballistic missile program as key objectives, while also encouraging the Iranian people to take over their government.

In the roughly 48 hours following the initial strikes, the Trump administration has subsequently suggested that the operation could last days, weeks or “as long as it takes” based on varying conditions that remain vague and evolving.

Trump’s remarks on March 2 even suggested that U.S. “boots on the ground” remain a possibility. Such shifting messaging makes it impossible to assess how the White House will ultimately decide to proceed.

In this context, both Washington and Tehran, Iran, must evaluate their respective risks as they determine their next moves.

Photo by US Navy via Reuters

معهد الشرق الأوسط (MEI) هو منظمة تعليمية مستقلة وغير حزبية وغير ربحية. لا يشارك المعهد في أي أنشطة دعوية، وآراء الباحثين فيه تعبر عن آرائهم الشخصية. يرحب المعهد بالتبرعات المالية، لكنه يحتفظ بالسيطرة التحريرية الكاملة على أعماله، ولا تعكس منشوراته سوى آراء المؤلفين. للاطلاع على قائمة المتبرعين للمعهد، يرجى النقر هنا.