Donald Trump will be hoping it ends here, but is willing to inflict further “tragedy” upon the Iranian regime if it retaliates.
The US President has seized his historic opportunity to deny Tehran a nuclear bomb in the most momentous decision of his political career. But he is realistic about the likelihood of a response from the Islamic theocracy.
After saying he would make a decision within two weeks, the US President surprised the world on Saturday by joining the Israeli attack.
In the end, it only took him two days.
America struck three of Tehran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
For the first time, America deployed its massive 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs in an active operation to target the Fordow enrichment site. Already Trump is claiming the operation a stunning success.
“Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” he said.
“Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
This is a decision that will reshape the Middle East but it will also transform the way the world views Trump. It will elevate him as a leader prepared to take decisive steps to uphold deterrence.
His decision to embrace action will resonate in and send a message to both Moscow and Beijing.
Having taken a precision strike against Iran’s nuclear sites, Trump is now seeking a resolution rather than an escalation.
“This cannot continue,” he said. “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days.
“Remember there are many targets left.”
Posting on his Truth Social platform earlier in the evening, Trump declared that “now is the time for peace.
“This is an historic moment for the United States of America, Israel and the World,” he said. “Iran must now agree to end this war.”
Why Trump chose now to attack Iran
Given Iran’s state of historic vulnerability, there were strong and compelling reasons for Trump to intervene.
The US President had already warned that Iran was just weeks off developing a nuclear weapon and the negotiations to wind-back the regime’s nuclear program had failed to produce results.
Trump was also convinced the regime was a special case in that it was willing to use a nuclear bomb.
As the leader of the “America First” movement, Trump may need to calm and allay concerns within his political constituency – the MAGA base – which is worried about getting bogged down in another foreign entanglement
But Trump can say he has launched a limited and contained strike to preserve stability and global order.
Whether it is the start of a larger and more protracted fight will now depend on how Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responds.
The ball is in Tehran’s court.
Trump was always reluctant to get involved, but one of his most consistent and long-held positions was that Iran could not develop a nuclear weapon. Trump has now proved that he is willing to enforce his red lines.
While comparisons have been drawn with 2003, this is not another Iraq War. The US is not proposing an invasion or another nation building exercise. Trump’s goal will be to keep the conflict short and sharp.
His main argument will be that, by acting now, America has taken a bold step towards achieving a safer world.
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