Fools rush in

In the absence of a clear goal and a realistic plan, Donald Trump cannot expect to enlist allies

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Early in his war on Iran, President Trump urged captains of civilian ships in the Gulf to “show some guts” and continue using the Strait of Hormuz. Later he was accused of underestimating the risk that Iran would shut the strait by mining it and targeting tankers and bulk carriers trying to pass through. The White House said it had not underestimated anything.

The truth is, Trump did understand the strait’s significance and went to war anyway, putting his faith in US air power. What he underestimated was the resilience of the Iranian regime, and the ability of its armed forces to continue striking this critical choke point after two weeks of bombardment and the loss of its leader.

Regime change in Iran is a legitimate goal. No other country murders its people and threatens its neighbours so systematically. The question is not whether it is justifiable to try and hasten the end of this regime, but how.