The Atlantic: Iran Dictates the Pace of the Confrontation While Washington Loses the Initiative in Managing the War
A U.S. analysis argues that the Trump administration entered the conflict without a clear strategy, while Tehran continues to manage the battle according to specific goals, imposing an increasing cost on the United States.
NYN | Reports and Analyses
The American magazine The Atlantic has argued that Iran has become the party most capable of directing the course of the confrontation with the United States, amid what it described as a state of confusion dominating the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which—according to the magazine—entered the conflict without a coherent strategy or achievable goals.
Iran Manages the Conflict According to Clear Goals
In an analysis published by the magazine, American writer Tom Nichols explained that Washington’s announcement of a ceasefire did not effectively reflect on the developments on the ground, and that the memorandum of understanding did not grant the U.S. administration the ability to control the course of the crisis.
He pointed out that Tehran continues to manage the confrontation according to a set of clear strategic goals—most notably maintaining regime stability, securing control over the Strait of Hormuz, and protecting its nuclear program—which, according to the analysis, has given it an advantage in managing the developments of the conflict.
Erroneous U.S. Assessments
Nichols indicated that the Trump administration based its decisions on assumptions that have not proven to be correct, including the expectation of the Iranian regime’s collapse within a short period, ignoring assessments issued by its own military and intelligence institutions.
He added that Washington was surprised by Iran’s ability to disrupt navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and raise the economic and military costs of the confrontation for the United States and its allies, which has further complicated the landscape.
A Drain on U.S. Military Capabilities
The analysis noted that the United States is attempting, as the writer puts it, to “bomb its way out of the war” by using large quantities of high-cost munitions without achieving decisive strategic results or fundamentally altering the balance of the conflict.
It emphasized that Iran does not view the confrontation merely as a reaction to American attacks, but rather moves as the party holding the initiative and capable of dictating the pace of operations.
Discrepancies in Trump’s Statements Reflect Administration Confusion
The writer pointed out that the contradictory statements of U.S. President Donald Trump—alternating between hinting at expanding military operations and simultaneously emphasizing his lack of desire to engage in a long war—reflect a state of confusion in managing the crisis.
