Has US achieved its war objectives in Iran?
Has US achieved its war objectives in Iran?
Pentagon Briefings and the War Narrative
Since the US and Israel initiated attacks on Iran, the competition for narrative control has unfolded within American military leadership. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Army National Guard Major and Fox News commentator, has dominated the press briefings at the Pentagon, delivering a media-savvy performance that emphasizes US military dominance. His statements, ranging from declaring “a capital V military victory” to describing relentless aerial strikes as “death and destruction from the sky all day long,” have framed the conflict as a clear triumph of American power.
“We have scored a capital V military victory,” Hegseth claimed during one briefing.
Trump’s Nuclear Objectives
President Trump’s primary aim in the war was to halt Iran’s nuclear program, a goal that had been pursued for years through diplomatic channels. However, his approach diverged from previous efforts, as he viewed the 2015 JCPOA agreement as insufficient. During his first term, he withdrew from the deal, reimposing sanctions to pressure Iran into compliance. This shift toward military action, exemplified by the killing of General Qasem Soleimani, set a precedent for alternating between diplomatic gestures and force.
Despite the attacks on nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Fordow, and Natantz, Iran continues to maintain its stockpile of enriched uranium. Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, noted that a military solution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions may not be feasible. Trump now claims the US will collaborate with Iran to “dig up and remove all of the deeply buried… Nuclear Dust,” but Tehran’s stance remains firm, with a new leadership structure potentially amplifying its resolve.
Regime Change Aspirations
Trump’s stated goals also included toppling the Iranian regime, urging the public to “take over their government” once the US-Israeli strikes concluded. Within days, he demanded “unconditional surrender” from Tehran, yet the regime has persisted. The assassination of senior figures, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba, has not led to a change in leadership, with the latter becoming the Supreme Leader’s successor. Trump’s hope to replicate the outcome in Venezuela, where he ousted President Maduro, remains unfulfilled.
“We will now work with Iran to dig up and remove all of the deeply buried… Nuclear Dust,” Trump stated in a social media video from Mar-a-Lago.
Military Impact and Shifting Goals
While the Trump administration asserts that Iran’s conventional military capabilities have been “obliterated,” this claim is contested. Leaked intelligence suggests Iran retains about half its pre-war arsenal, including missiles, drones, and naval assets. The BBC has yet to confirm these figures, underscoring the ambiguity surrounding the war’s effectiveness.
Meanwhile, the toll on US forces has been significant: 13 service members killed and hundreds injured. Munition supplies have been depleted rapidly, yet the original objectives—whether nuclear deterrence or regime change—appear elusive. The two-week truce currently in place offers little indication that the US has solidified its strategic gains, leaving the war’s outcome in question.
The Path Forward
With the fragile ceasefire under pressure, the focus now turns to upcoming negotiations in Islamabad. The US’s ability to achieve its goals hinges on Iran’s willingness to compromise, but the country’s defiance suggests the conflict may continue. The war has exposed a pattern of US tactics, oscillating between diplomacy and military strikes, as the administration struggles to define its ultimate aim.
