US-Iran conflict risks becoming a ‘forever war’

Analysts are warning that the United States is becoming entangled in a conflict with Iran that risks becoming a ‘forever war,’ similar to the long-term engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite Donald Trump’s campaign promises to act as a ‘president of peace’ and avoid new foreign wars, the current confrontation is drawing comparisons to the post-9/11 era.

Administration officials argue this conflict differs from previous wars because the U.S. is primarily utilizing air and naval power rather than deploying large numbers of ground troops to hold territory or attempt to install Western-style governance. However, after six months of hostilities, the situation has evolved into a battle of attrition characterized by periodic exchanges of attacks, such as recent strikes on oil tankers.

Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy noted that the administration has broken a significant post-Iraq and Afghanistan constraint against launching open-ended wars in the Middle East. This could result in future U.S. leaders inheriting a deeply entrenched confrontation with Tehran.