Trump Just Crushed Iran in 5 Weeks

Key Points:

• Victor Davis Hanson critiques both left-leaning and some right-leaning commentators for their negative and biased reactions to the U.S. engagement with Iran, arguing that their analyses lack empirical and historical grounding.
• Hanson asserts that within five weeks, the U.S. and Israeli forces significantly weakened Iran's military leadership across multiple factions, severely diminishing its war-making capabilities.
• He outlines a three-phase U.S. strategy: military attrition, an offer to negotiate under U.S. terms, and economic strangulation, particularly through control of the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely impacted Iran's economy.
• Hanson predicts possible outcomes including Iran launching remaining missile and drone attacks, agreeing to negotiations under stricter terms, or regime collapse driven by popular resistance fueled by economic hardship.
• He cautions skepticism about Iran's compliance with any agreements and doubts that future U.S. administrations would enforce such agreements rigorously, suggesting that unconditional Iranian surrender or economic ruin leading to regime change is the most likely path forward.