Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, the question of how the US should retaliate has taken center stage. Retired General Philip Breedlove, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and current distinguished chair at the Middle East Institute, provided insights into the situation during a recent interview.
As President Trump vowed to retaliate against Iran, General Breedlove expressed confidence that the CENTCOM commander, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, would have presented a range of impactful actions to the President. These actions could vary from regular operations to more assertive measures. Ultimately, it is up to President Trump to decide which options to pursue in order to send a clear message to Iran.
When asked about potential retaliatory actions, General Breedlove acknowledged that in the past, the US has primarily targeted factions aligned with Iran rather than directly engaging Iran itself. However, he did mention that attacking Iranian assets, such as a spy ship or infrastructure, could serve as a powerful message to Iran. Consequently, General Breedlove suggested that it is possible that such assets might be a target of US retaliation.
The conversation then shifted to the notion that Iran seems to be dictating the narrative and setting the tone in the current conflict. General Breedlove agreed, stating that Iran currently holds the initiative, while the US has lost it. Drawing parallels to the situation in Ukraine, where Russia had gained the upper hand, he emphasized the need for the US to regain the initiative and take charge of the situation. This entails being proactive and not allowing Iran to dictate the terms of engagement.
Regarding the ability of the Commander in Chief to change the trajectory of the situation, General Breedlove remained cautious and refrained from making predictions. However, he acknowledged that criticism has been directed towards President Trump's foreign policy decisions, with former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stating that the President has been wrong on each of them. While General Breedlove did not express explicit confidence in the President's ability to reverse the current situation, he emphasized the necessity of striking the proxies aligned with Iran.
In these uncertain times, it remains to be seen what course of action the US will take in response to Iran's aggression. As tensions continue to rise, the hope is to reestablish American initiative and heed the call for a clear and resolute message to Iran. Only time will tell how this intricate and volatile situation will unfold.
