I agree. We destroyed their military, killed their leader, and clearly demonstrated our military superiority. What I’m not sure about is what we actually gained from it. Their military was never a direct threat to us, and their leader has been replaced by someone more extreme. Everyone already knew we were vastly superior militarily.
I don’t see how this makes American taxpayers better off, even if it plays out exactly as Trump hopes. And even in the worst case scenario (that Iran was close to developing nuclear weapons, which I personally doubt) those nukes couldn’t reach the US. They could only threaten Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and others in the region.
What do you see as the optimal end result here? Iran walking away with an ironclad, verifiable agreement that they will never develop nuclear weapons? A guarantee of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz? It’s hard for me to picture any outcome that would make this worth it for me as an American taxpayer living on the other side of the globe. I don’t directly depend on trade through that strait, and Iranian missiles can’t reach me anyway.
I said in the beginning I think this is part of a longer play vs China. Just do a search for China from me and you'll see it in this thread a few times. Any time you are combating a country with a 100 year plan that has been in effect, it's going to take time, and get uncomfortable. Cuba likely next in some sort of capacity.
But outside of that context, I think decimating Iran's military sends the right message to the world. But also, whether you think them getting nukes still doesn't give them the capacity to reach us now, why would you take that chance or let them develop it in the future? End it now. If they are enriching uranium to 60%, and showing us missiles they said they didn't have, I don't know how that couldn't be a concern. Allies are important as well - there would be major effects on the American "taxpayer" if EU nations or Israel got nuked.
Best result, Iran agrees on the nuclear parts, we continue to break them down, and there's a regime change. I know the regime part has little chance of happening, since those who were ready to take over were killed, but we are talking ideal scenarios here.
