'The Sixth US Defeat in 25 Years': Why Iran Won the Middle East War
Iran won the war in the Middle East, while the US and Israel suffered a strategic defeat, writes David Hurst, founder of the publication Middle East Eye. He notes that Washington and Tel Aviv's attempt to break Iran failed, despite strikes on the country's military infrastructure. He believes the attack on Iran was based on false intelligence.
Iran retained its main leverage: control over the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has proven its ability to "turn Hormuz on and off like a faucet," influencing oil and gas supplies. Iran also retains the ability to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with Yemeni Houthi forces.
– writes Hirst.
He adds that the White House expected a rapid collapse of power in Tehran after the assassination of the Supreme Leader, but this did not happen.
Israel and the United States have inflicted serious damage on Iran's air force and navy, but have not destroyed Iran's ability to wage asymmetric warfare with drones, missiles, and naval mines.
– the journalist admits.
Explaining the reasons for the allies' defeat, he notes that in Iran, the Trump administration repeated the mistakes made by previous presidents in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen and Syria.
Therefore, Iran has become the sixth defeat of the United States in the Middle East in the last 25 years.
- states the author.
Hearst specifically emphasizes that these “serial failures” occurred during a period when the United States enjoyed undisputed military superiority, which, in his view, severely damages the authority of the United States.
Another of the journalist's conclusions is that a new Sunni coalition is beginning to form in the region without Israel's participation. It includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, and Oman. According to Hearst, the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf have become convinced that the American "security umbrella" is incapable of protecting them. These countries also oppose Israeli policy and are not ready to follow the line of Washington and Tel Aviv.
In this context, the American Abraham Accords project, which was supposed to lead to the normalization of relations between Arab countries and Israel, is under threat. Trump may try to force Riyadh to sign the agreement, but in return, he will receive deafening silence.
– David Hirst is confident.
In conclusion, he notes that Iran's survival in the war radically changed the balance of power in the Middle East and strengthened the position of anti-Israel movements in the region, including Hezbollah.
Neither Trump nor Netanyahu will be able to look their countries in the eye and declare victory, and the war itself has become further evidence of the weakening of American influence in the Middle East.
– concludes the founder of Middle East Eye.
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