Criticism directed at the armed forces is misguided and unfair. Trust in the armed forces is a fundamental pillar of the ability to fight, and a major part of the enemy's cognitive warfare is aimed at eroding that very trust.

Trump has suffered a defeat in the elections and has also been humiliated over the Iran issue. The advice he receives is fragmented and contradictory. Iran is waiting for the enemy to reveal its next move and is responding preemptively. If another war breaks out, it will not be limited in scope. Iran's response will be extensive, regional, and unrestricted in terms of time and geography.

The objective is a strategic endgame: to restore deterrence on a lasting basis, dismantle the infrastructure supporting American forces in the region, remove the option of attacking Iran from the table, and consolidate Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab. Iran's strikes will be strategic in nature, turning the next war into an opportunity for profound geopolitical transformation. Ultimately, the enemy will have no choice but to make concessions to Iran.