President Donald Trump promised the Iranian people, “Help is on the way.”
If he walks away now, history will never forgive him — and neither will voters.
Striking Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and/or other key targets isn’t warmongering; it’s the smartest America First move Trump can make.
Not because it feels good, but because the math is undeniable.
Consider China. Everyone knows a clash with Beijing over Taiwan is more likely than not.
China’s navy dwarfs ours, and that confrontation will happen in their backyard, not ours.
How do we gain an advantage against such a formidable adversary? Cut off its oil.
More than 80% of Iran’s oil exports go to China. Without it, China will have a harder time sustaining a prolonged conflict.
This isn’t strictly about the Middle East; it’s also about hamstringing China before the real game begins — and signaling that America is ready to use military force to protect our interests.
The isolationists in Trump’s base worry about another endless war. But Iran is the endless war.
For nearly 50 years, this regime has fueled, funded and orchestrated virtually every major conflict in the Middle East: Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas — all Iranian proxies.
The world spends trillions combating terrorism. Iran is its global headquarters.
Cut off the head of the snake, and you dramatically reduce future conflicts, while saving billions in counterterrorism costs.
The timing won’t be better. In June, US and Israeli operations took out many of Iran’s air-defense systems and top commanders.
It can’t replace all that in just a few months.
Iran is now scrambling to acquire weapon systems from China, yet it lacks the time to integrate and effectively deploy them.
Wait six months or a year, and these systems will be fully operational.
We have the naval armada assembled; we have the firepower positioned; we have willing allies in the region: What are we waiting for?
Some argue we should negotiate. But with whom?
A radical Islamic regime that daily chants “Death to America” and has done so for 47 years? A government that has never honored a single agreement?
Trump threw out President Barack Obama’s Iran deal precisely because Tehran violated it while it was in effect.
Even if Iran agreed to Trump’s conditions — no nuclear weapons, no ICBMs, no funding proxies — such promises would be worthless.
Recall the mullahs’ ideology permits deception against infidels when strategically necessary, and they don’t hesitate to act on that.
If Iran agreed to those terms and meant it, it would cease to be the Iran it is today.
The regime’s overriding goal is to spread radical Islam, colonize neighbors — and destroy America and Israel. Believing it would suddenly abandon its core mission is pure fantasy.
The political calculation is equally stark: If Trump does nothing meaningful after his strong threats and assembling a massive show of force, America will look weak, Iran strong.
Tehran is already pounding its chest, declaring America is bluffing and powerless.
Democrats would weaponize Trump’s broken vow in the midterms, perhaps even hurl the TACO slur.
Trump promised help was on the way. What happened to the man of his word?
Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of Iranians despise this regime. Many live in crushing poverty without reliable electricity or water.
A US strike supporting regime change would show the world Trump cares about oppressed people — America at its best.
It would be genuine liberation, not nation-building.
Yes, there are risks. War brings uncertainty. Israel may be attacked. Markets may grow turbulent. US soldiers may be targeted.
But allowing a regime dedicated to destroying the United States to develop nuclear weapons and ICBMs that can reach us is utter insanity.
The Middle East (and the world) have suffered for decades because of Iran. Helping to push out its leadership creates the best chance for genuine transformation and lasting peace.
We can act while the regime is weak and we’re positioned for success, or wait until the window closes.
Trump has always been willing to make tough calls others won’t. This is his moment.
Strike now, support the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and position America strategically against China.
Or explain to voters in 2026 why he assembled the most powerful naval force in a generation, pledged help to millions . . . and then sailed home without firing a shot.
History is watching. So are the voters.
Harley Lippman is a member of the Middle East Forum’s executive committee and the Yale Business School board.
