With a massive US military buildup in the Middle East, and prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough looking fairly grim, an American operation against Iran might finally be around the corner.
Top US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, continue to insist that diplomacy remains US President Donald Trump’s preference. Trump himself said as much during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
But he also promised ominously, “one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror — which they are by far — to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”
“No nation should ever doubt America’s resolve,” he warned. “We have the most powerful military on earth.”
Indeed they do. By every relevant measure, the US military enjoys overwhelming advantages over Iran’s armed forces in a head-to-head engagement.
That overwhelming edge doesn’t mean success is a given. Iran can still inflict enough serious damage to US forces to convince Trump that the political and material cost of the campaign isn’t worth paying.
Read the full article at the Times of Israel.
