Trump's Iran Strategy Stalls: US Carriers Retreat, Tehran Gains Upper Hand

In recent weeks, the United States has twice attempted to force Iran into submission through a series of airstrikes, but both efforts have failed, with US aircraft carriers even having to retreat. The Islamic Republic has managed to counter the world's strongest military power, compelling President Donald Trump to seek negotiations. This pattern reveals a strategy that is not merely dual-track but largely unsuccessful. Iranian attacks have targeted ships, particularly tankers, that deviate from prescribed routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Regardless of the intensity of US strikes on ground targets in Iran, the response has been immediate and effective. The situation underscores Tehran's ability to force Washington to the negotiating table, a development that has significant geopolitical implications. The article, published on Freitag, analyzes the dynamics of the conflict, highlighting Iran's success in seizing escalation dominance from the US. The author, Lutz Herden, provides a detailed account of the recent military exchanges and the strategic calculus behind them. Trump, still learning in his approach to Iran, has made missteps that have weakened the US position. The article suggests that the US president's 'overkill machinery' is stuttering, and he is now compelled to reconsider his tactics. The piece concludes with a forward-looking observation about the ongoing negotiations and the challenges ahead for US foreign policy in the region.