President Donald Trump underestimated the strength of Iran. Killing theIR Supreme Leader did not mean that the Iranians would immediately surrender.
Image: Mandel Ngan / AFP
DONALD Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have started a nasty war in Iran.
As always, Trump seemed optimistic that he would finish off Iran in a couple of days.
He began by killing off Iran's main man, its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini.
He thought that the removal of Khomeini would leave Iran spinning like a headless chicken.
But the big bully had underestimated the strength of Iran. Killing the Supreme Leader did not mean that the Iranians would immediately surrender.
In fact it only hardened their resolve to resist US imperialism. Trump wanted a say in the appointment of the next ruler but the Assembly of Experts defied him and replaced Khomeini with his son. His plans had misfired.
And then, in retaliation for the destruction of the oil depot on Kharg Island, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on their Arab neighbours who were friends with US.
It choked off the vital Strait of Hormutz through which a fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments passes, causing turmoil on the world markets. Oil prices soared and world markets tumbled. A defiant Iran warned Trump that the US faced a second Vietnam.
Just a few days ago Trump and his defence secretary were beaming with confidence that the US and Israeli coalition would finish off Iran.
Trump even insulted his NATO allies and said they wanted to help when the US and Israel had finished the job. According to Trump the US had destroyed 7000 targets in Iran and blown up 100 vessels. If this is true why is he now asking for NATO help?
One moment he moans that NATO does want to help and the next he says he can do without their support.
Both Britain and Germany do not want to be drawn into a long, costly war with a country which had posed no threat to them. Britain had learnt its lesson when it foolishly joined the US in the Iraqi War. Iran is not Iraq. It has still a lot of resistance left. Trump also seems to have forgotten that just a few years ago the US failed against the Taliban and had to make a fast retreat from Afghanistan with its tail between its legs.
Trump suffered another blow to his ego when his head of counterterrorism, Joe Kent resigned over the Iran war. He said Iran posed no imminent threat to the US and it had been drawn into the war by the powerful Israeli lobby in the White House.
The US-Israeli coalition may have superior fire power in the air. But the real test will come on land. The US may face a second Vietnam.
THYAGARAJ MARKANDAN
Kloof