President Trump has delivered a strong, calibrated response to Iran’s recent missile attack on a U.S. base in Iraq: There were no casualties at the military base, so there will not be a military response. But there will be additional sanctions unless Iran “changes its behavior.”
I am pleased to inform you, the American people should be extremely grateful and happy.
No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime.
– @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/F7nJJktXot
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 8, 2020
The United States will continue to use economic and diplomatic measures to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, Trump said, addressing what could be the most dangerous consequence of the U.S. military’s killing of Iranian general and terrorist Qassem Soleimani.
Iran said Sunday it will no longer comply with limits on uranium enrichment required by its 2015 nuclear pact, though the regime stopped short of verbally abandoning the deal altogether. It’s unlikely Iran had ever honored the terms of the pact to begin with, and this doesn’t mean Iran is now racing toward a bomb. Still, this has the potential to become a problem if it remains unchecked.
Trump’s strategy to prevent Iran’s nuclear development is the right one. With additional sanctions, the U.S. can cripple Iran’s economy and thus force the regime to come to the negotiating table. It also staves off a long-term military conflict — something neither country wants.
All in all, this was a win for Trump. Iran’s missile strikes were little more than an attempt to save face at home, and the U.S. was obviously prepared for this kind of immediate retaliation. No lasting damage was done, and now, de-escalation can commence.
