Tom Nichols Says US Failed to Meet Iran War Goals
Tom Nichols argues the US failed to achieve its Iran war goals, leaving Tehran in power, preserving missile forces and adding uncertainty to the peace deal.
The United States failed to achieve any of its stated goals in Iran and, in record time, conceded ground to an adversary that may not be the strongest militarily but remains highly dangerous. That is the argument made by political scientist and The Atlantic columnist Tom Nichols.
According to Nichols, the outcome secured by Washington may be worse than getting nothing at all.
He argued that America emerged weakened from the Middle East conflict. Washington used up significant weapons stockpiles, while ordinary Americans are already feeling the impact of the war at gas stations, where fuel prices have risen sharply.
Nichols stressed that the central U.S. objective was never achieved: there was no change of power in Iran. Although Tehran suffered serious damage, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps retained control of the country. That means that even if a peace agreement is in place, the risk of another blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has not disappeared.
In the political scientist’s assessment, Iran has also preserved its arsenal of missiles and drones and will continue supporting forces linked to it in Iraq and Syria. Tehran is also expected to receive sanctions relief and access to unfrozen foreign assets.
The official details of the peace deal have not yet been confirmed. Nichols, however, noted that Iran could receive about $12 billion upfront, another $12 billion within two months and $300 billion for reconstruction. He believes that although Washington insists these payments will be tied to compliance with the agreements, that approach only adds to the uncertainty.
Nichols also pointed out that U. S. President Donald Trump is trying to present the agreement with Iran as his own victory, claiming that he stopped Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The author called that position untenable, recalling that Tehran had already pledged not to build a nuclear arsenal under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action a decade earlier, and that by the start of the current war it was still far from obtaining an atomic bomb.