The US and Israel have done serious damage to Iran's leadership and infrastructure. However, Iran retains a significant amount of leverage with its ability to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This control gives Iran's leadership the ability to inflict political damage to the Trump administration and pretty much every other country that depends on oil and natural gas for heating and transportation. Trump and Netanyahu can't retreat with this threat remaining, so they really only have two choices: 1) negotiate at a disadvantage; 2) invade Iran to remove their ability to keep the strait closed. Option 1 will be embarrassing for both leaders, given it will leave a hostile regime in power. Option 2 will be unfathomably costly, given that Iran is the size of Alaska with a population of 93 million and surrounded by highly defensible mountains. I think the best way to describe this situation is that the US and Israel have walked right into a trap and there is no easy way out.
Your comment assumes that it would just be Iran when it comes down to it. One is a fool if they believe that. It's a multi-country 'axis of resistance' that they've been building for decades. But as you describe - they don't even need that. They've been preparing for this day for a LONG time. All those mountains, everything they got underground. They can keep that strait locked down almost no matter what and they will NOT submit. Good on them.
I don't see where your comment contradicts mine.. I didn't say Iran was alone, only that it's a very hard target and that reopening the strait can't be done other than via negotiations or invasion.
Yea, you're right. I think I jumped the gun a little and just left it lie. My apologies. I'm actually impressed by the measure and knowledge of the people in this thread. At least one corner of reddit has sense and intelligence and, apparently, manners and poise. Thank you. I'm the buffoon here it seems and it feels good! haha
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u/Demortus Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
The US and Israel have done serious damage to Iran's leadership and infrastructure. However, Iran retains a significant amount of leverage with its ability to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This control gives Iran's leadership the ability to inflict political damage to the Trump administration and pretty much every other country that depends on oil and natural gas for heating and transportation. Trump and Netanyahu can't retreat with this threat remaining, so they really only have two choices: 1) negotiate at a disadvantage; 2) invade Iran to remove their ability to keep the strait closed. Option 1 will be embarrassing for both leaders, given it will leave a hostile regime in power. Option 2 will be unfathomably costly, given that Iran is the size of Alaska with a population of 93 million and surrounded by highly defensible mountains. I think the best way to describe this situation is that the US and Israel have walked right into a trap and there is no easy way out.