Since 1979, when the Iranian regime took power, the United States has essentially been holding its ground in the face of Iranian hostility. Now, it feels like it’s time for President Trump to shift gears and aim for a decisive victory.
For the past 46 years, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, alongside his predecessors, has actively engaged in conflict against the U.S. and its allies, echoing chants like “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” These were never just empty words; they represented a long-lasting enmity.
This conflict has manifested in direct and indirect ways. One notable incident occurred in 1979 when Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. This event severely affected President Jimmy Carter’s administration.
Indirectly, the violence has also shown itself. On October 23, 1983, a bombing in Beirut killed 241 U.S. soldiers, an attack that was attributed to shadowy jihadist groups but widely accepted to be orchestrated by Hezbollah with support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
That moment was pivotal, marking the beginning of Iran’s proxy war against the U.S. and later against Israel. Other significant attacks occurred over the years, including a 1996 bombing that killed 199 U.S. Airmen in Saudi Arabia and the 2000 suicide attack on the USS Cole, which resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors and was later linked to Iran’s involvement.
Tehran’s so-called “axis of resistance” has continuously targeted U.S. interests, as the State Department has designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps oversees various paramilitary groups engaged in these operations.
These Iranian proxies include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and several groups in Iraq, such as Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
Over the years, the U.S. response across different administrations has mainly been to impose sanctions. President Trump, in 2020, notably ordered a strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, head of the QUDS force, which was pivotal in coordinating Iran’s proxy activities.
The events of October 7 marked a turning point after numerous attacks by Iranian agents against U.S. targets in the region. Previously, Iran’s nuclear ambitions were deemed the top concern for Israel, but recent activities have shifted focus to Hamas’s tactical capabilities, which received support from both Iran and Russia.
Now, with the instability in Syria and the diminished control of Iranian commands, Israel’s goal has shifted toward neutralizing nuclear threats from Iran.
However, ongoing Iranian aggression—especially in conjunction with their nuclear aspirations—remains a concern. By November 2023, U.S. forces had reported over 50 attacks linked to Iranian operatives in just a month, underscoring the persistent threat Iran poses not just to Israel but also to the U.S.
This is not just about a hot conflict with Israel; it’s about a broader strategic confrontation with the United States that’s persisted for decades, threatening peace in the region.
Moreover, Tehran’s actions have disrupted regional diplomacy and contributed to destabilizing economies, particularly focusing on commercial transport in crucial waterways.
Given these realities, it’s crucial for Trump to take a stronger stance against Iran. This means demanding the regime’s unconditional surrender without any watering down of expectations. A change of leadership in Iran could effectively neutralize nuclear and ballistic missile threats.
Should Khamenei remain in power while advancing nuclear ambitions, safeguarding U.S. interests will become increasingly complicated. Why wait? Iran and its proxies have engaged in a virtual war since 1979, and a lasting peace in the Middle East remains uncertain.
There’s the risk that Iran could unite with other powers to form a formidable coalition, which is a bleak scenario for both the U.S. and the Middle East. It’s time for Trump to back Israel in its mission.
Trump should firmly oppose Khamenei’s regime, supporting efforts to dismantle it and equipping Israel to succeed in this endeavor. This approach could redefine the dynamics in the Middle East, gaining an upper hand against adversaries like Russia while sending clear signals to China and other Asia-Pacific partners.
Ultimately, it’s imperative for peace and stability that a decisive stance is taken against Iran.
