Nicholas Carl: US and Iran are now in the Battle of Hormuz

Nicholas Carl, assistant director for the American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project, characterizes the ongoing US-Iran conflict as the "Battle of Hormuz." Despite significant US and Israeli military successes against Iran's ballistic missiles, nuclear program, and conventional forces, Carl notes that these have not translated into lasting strategic success. "We haven’t compelled the Iranians to accept a positive political outcome for us yet," Carl stated, adding that "They’re still willing to fight." Iran is now attempting to solidify its gains by destabilizing energy markets to pressure the US into an even more favorable permanent agreement, including formal control over the Strait of Hormuz. Carl suggests that the conflict will persist "until one side has outlasted the other," with potential outcomes for Iran ranging from regime collapse due to protests to increased repression or ethnic fragmentation.