Trump’s Iran Strategy Fails: “Peace Through Force” Backfires

One month after signing the Versailles Memorandum, Donald Trump’s strategy to force Iran into submission is not working. The agreement, meant to ease tensions before the US elections, has failed to stop attacks or bring peace. Trump’s plan, which he calls “peace through force,” relies on hitting Iran harder until it surrenders. But the results are not what he hoped for. The US military can strike more targets in Iran, but after destroying tens of thousands of targets already, a few hundred more will not change the outcome. The Pentagon is now considering new options. One option is to expand bombing across all of Iran, hitting ports, bridges, power plants, and factories. The goal is to collapse Iran’s economy and disrupt daily life. A more drastic step would be to invade and occupy Kharg Island, where 90% of Iran’s oil is loaded for export. US troops could land there by sea and air. But the island is only 20 kilometers from Iran’s coast. Iranian forces could attack the invaders constantly, making a long-term stay impossible. Iran is also fighting back. It strikes US bases and targets in neighboring countries to pressure those governments to stop Washington. It continues to threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that oil exports will be “for everyone or for no one.” Iran may also use its Yemeni allies to block the Bab el-Mandeb strait, which would hurt the global economy. Trump is stuck. Many countries, including the US, are worried because their oil reserves are low. A new blockade in both straits would cause even more damage than before, and Iran would not be the one to suffer most.