US Strategy in Iran War Takes Uncertain Turn Amid Escalating Conflict

US President Donald Trump’s Goals in Iran Conflict Remain Unclear

The United States, along with Israel, launched a military operation against Iran on February 28, marking the beginning of the second week of the conflict. Since then, nearly 2,000 targets have been struck in Iran, resulting in the elimination of several top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

US President Donald Trump has articulated shifting goals in the conflict, with some analysts suggesting that his administration’s objectives are unclear. According to Mustafa Hyder Sayed, executive director of the Pakistan-China Institute, the objective of the strikes was “instant capitulation of the regime and a popular uprising.” Muhanad Seloom, assistant professor of international politics and security at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, believes that an unstated bet guided Trump’s approach, assuming that removing key leaders would cause the system to collapse or become weakened.

However, despite the elimination of several senior military commanders and leaders, there is little evidence of deep fractures within Iran’s institutions. On Sunday, Iran announced Khamenei’s successor as supreme leader, his 56-year-old son Mojtaba Khamenei. Analysts argue that Trump’s messaging has oscillated between dealmaking and destruction, with early calls for surrender in exchange for immunity and later requests to switch sides.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been leading Iran’s counteroffensive against the US and Israel, while also driving attacks on other Gulf countries. Iranian diplomats have rebuffed Trump’s offer to switch sides, insisting on their commitment to representing the Islamic Republic. The IRGC has pledged full obedience to the new supreme leader, who was designated a terrorist organization by the US.

The conflict has resulted in over 1,200 Iranian deaths, including more than 160 children killed in a school bombing. Seven American soldiers have also died. The US and Israeli attacks have targeted nuclear facilities, civilian areas, and critical infrastructure such as oil refineries and a desalination plant. Iran has retaliated with hundreds of missiles and thousands of drones targeting Israel and Gulf neighbors.

The endgame for the conflict remains unclear, with Trump’s administration not providing clear guidance on how they want the war to end.

Source: Al Jazeera