In Arlington on Veterans Day, Donald Trump tried desperately to sell Washington's war of aggression as self-defense, claiming that Iran "has been waging war on America since 1979." Then came the victory speech. "And we won," he declared, before promising "complete victory" in the war he had just claimed to win.
￭ In February, Trump sought regime change in Tehran and vowed to "destroy" the Iranian navy. Nearly nine months later, Iran stands more united than ever, closing the Strait of Hormuz and hitting American military installations across the Gulf with retaliatory attacks. Washington has not yet forced the opening of the strait, while accepting Tehran's demands to ensure its reopening would be tantamount to admitting defeat.