wifeisafurd said:
And you wonder why no one really believes what the media or politicians say?
Just wondering what part of the reporting below is disbelieved by knowledgeable, discerning Americans that don't believe what the media says about the Iran War?"The president said yesterday in a phone call with the Financial Times' Ed Luce: "We've essentially decimated Iran … They have no navy, no anti-aircraft, no air force, everything is gone. The only thing they can do is make a little trouble by putting a mine in the water a nuisance, but the nuisance can cause problems."
Anna Kelly, the White House's principal deputy press secretary, emphasized to us that Operation Epic Fury is the result of "months and months of meticulous planning," with "ample options" provided to the president, who took all of his top officials' views into account as he made the final decision.
Trump could pull out tomorrow. But the Iranians could keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and push oil prices so high that America would have to re-engage.
The Iranians have made it clear in private and in public that even if Trump decides to end the war, they could continue shooting missiles and rockets until they get guarantees that this is the end of the war, not just a temporary ceasefire.
Behind the scenes: Trump has grown accustomed to doing what he wants and then quickly improvising if things go south. But this time, some in his inner circle have what one official called "buyer's remorse" growing fears that attacking Iran was a mistake.
A source close to the administration said some key officials around Trump were reluctant or wanted more time. "He ended up saying, 'I just want to do it,'" the source said. "He grossly overestimated his ability to topple the regime short of sending in ground troops."
The source said Trump was "high on his own supply" after last summer's quick strikes in Iran and January's abduction of Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro: "He saw multiple decisive quick victories with extraordinary military competence."
Reality check: Trump's war of choice certainly looks like a military success so far. Iran's missile and drone launches have greatly decreased, indicating it's running out of weapons or the ability to fire them.
The U.S. and Israeli air forces have overhead supremacy to bomb at will.
Much of the Iranian navy is underwater.
The ayatollah and senior leaders have been killed.
The U.S. military death toll (at least 13) could have been greater for this breadth of action.
What's next: Trump now may have to make a tough decision on a significant military escalation new territory for him as president.
Some officials close to him had hoped he'd be able to show some quick gains and declare victory. Now, it's not apparent how he'd do that convincingly.
As Barak reported, the U.S. doesn't have clear enough lines of communication with the Iranian regime to make a deal that's sure to stick. Trump said on Truth Social on Friday night that Iran "is totally defeated and wants a deal - But not a deal that I would accept!"
The bottom line: To claim victory, the Iranian regime just needs to stay alive."
Axios
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