Following several days marked by escalating threats toward Iran, including social media messages like “FINISH THE JOB!” and “Take the oil. No mercy!,” President Trump decided over the weekend to halt a planned significant escalation in the Middle East—for the time being.
On his social media account, he stated, “The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II.” He added, “Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.”
Iran denies having any communication with the US and has warned of retaliatory actions targeting energy infrastructure in the region if its facilities are attacked. Such damage could trigger a severe global economic downturn.
Any Iranian counterattack—potentially targeting vital water desalination plants—might displace populations in US-allied nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and others. Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman reportedly contacted President Trump personally to urge restraint against Iran.
Various media outlets reveal that US missile supplies, particularly interceptor missiles like those of the Patriot system, are alarmingly low. This shortage seemingly impairs the ability to safeguard US bases throughout the Middle East.
According to reports, President Trump’s senior military advisors warned that a ground assault on Iran would lead to significant US casualties without a clear prospect of success. Official figures currently list 18 US service members killed and over 700 wounded in the operation.
During the weekend, the US military finalized its withdrawal from a major base located in Iraq’s Kurdish region. This follows the evacuation of nearly all US installations in the area, including the US 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and purportedly secure bases in Jordan.
Essentially, the entire US military presence in the region appears to have been consolidated in Israel.
The conflict, initially intended to last a few weeks and “pay for itself,” is now entering its sixth month with costs exceeding $100 billion. Launched to counter an alleged Iranian nuclear threat that US Intelligence has since questioned, the war has evolved into a fight to secure the Hormuz Strait—a passage that remained open prior to hostilities.
According to the Washington Post, the US general commanding European Command sent a message to senior Pentagon officials indicating that without an additional Navy destroyer, he may have to prioritize defending the United States homeland over Israel. This raises a troubling question: how can protecting another nation come before our own?
The US assault on Iran stands as the most unpopular significant military operation in American history, with approval ratings dropping daily. President Trump’s popularity has fallen into the low 30s amid the conflict, with midterm elections just three months away.
Options are rapidly running out for President Trump’s chosen war against Iran. Victory appears unattainable, leaving only the challenge of managing defeat. This is precisely why the Constitution prohibits presidents from initiating wars unilaterally.
Withdraw immediately. Completely. The ill-advised war on Iran must end now!
Original article: The Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity
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