The Goal That Was Not AchievedTrump's initial calculation was built on a simple assumption: America's military superiority could force Iran to back down in a short period. In this view, the military strikes were not merely meant to cause destruction; rather, their main objective was to change Iran's political behavior. But if, after the war, Tehran can enter negotiations over Hormuz with a harder stance, this outcome would be exactly contrary to America's original objective. America's military power is built upon a vast array of weapons, bases, defense systems, and military production capacity. This does not mean ignoring America's military power or the damage inflicted on Iran; rather, the issue concerns the political outcome of the war.