The Biden Administration's subtle response will not silence Iran and it's Proxies

Iranian fundamentalists storm the American embassy in 1979

U. S. - Iran: A Territorial Quagmire 

    America has been letting Iran off the hook since 1979 and the Iran hostage crisis. Iranian students emboldened by the successful  return of Ayatollah Khomeini who had been in  exile in France and whose group consisted of Islamic fundamentalists ousted American ally The Shah. The result was the students storming the American embassy and talking over 50 American hostage for 444 days. The Carter Administration waffled and misplayed the situation from the outset. The Carter Administration was weak and this would lead to the election of Ronald Reagan as President. 

    On August  1953 with British and American influence inside the Iranian military, then Iranian President - Mohammed Mossadegh was overthrown by American friendly Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. The Shah who was unpopular among Iranians,  relied on American support to stay in power until 1979. 

    Iranian proxies have been operating with purpose since 1983 when a group - Islamic Jihad, detonated two trucks with explosives in Lebanon killing 241 American military personnel. The U.S. labelled Iran a state sponsor of terrorism in 1984. 

    While sanction relief has not impeded Iran's nuclear ambition, it has muted attacks on American interests in the Middle East.  Thus, the Trump Administration withdrawing from the Obama Administration enacted - JCPOA  (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and   imposing new sanctions has led to a robust Iranian foreign policy with the United States. In turn, Iranian proxies have opposed American presence in the Strait of Hormuz and Red sea, particularly, since the recent Israel - Palestine conflict beginning in October 2023. 

    American  and British forces have unleashed a military  campaign beginning in February 2024 to attempt to silence Iranian proxies in the region, Houthi government officials have indicated  that attacks will continue.   The bombing of American barracks by a drone that killed 3 Americans and injuring 40 has spurred this military response.  Iranian proxies claim a Gaza ceasefire will end these attacks. This is not a long term solution. Moreover, the Biden Administration miscalculated  in withdrawing  American forces  from Afghanistan.  

    U.S. forces, in an election year, would be wise to strike inside Iran in a meaningful manner to send a strong message to  Iran's leadership. Iran must  rein in their terrorist proxie groups. America cannot show reluctance to counter Iran now as the situation in the Middle East is extremely problematic for long term peace. The result will be a conflict with American casualties that could be significant. Acting now will aid in  safeguarding  the future in the region and aboard. Acting now instead of 1983 is considerably more risky and that risk needs to be spread among allies;  European partners like France need to play a role. In addition, Chinese leaders purporting to establish themselves as global leaders remain silent - a paper tiger!