By Kamal Sikder
Donald Trump’s enthusiasm for bombing Iranian nuclear facilities—an effort seemingly designed to assist Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial war strategy—may already be unraveling. What initially appeared to be a show of force is now showing signs of becoming one of the most significant military blunders in recent U.S. history.
As the dust settles, Iran has wasted no time in mounting a strategic counter-response. In a powerful statement of defiance, the Iranian parliament has voted overwhelmingly to move towards closing the Strait of Hormuz—a critical artery for the global oil supply. If enforced, this decision could send shockwaves through the global economy, severely affecting oil prices and significantly impacting Trump’s economic interests. It’s perhaps no surprise that Senator Marco Rubio’s earlier bravado has quickly faded; he is now appealing to China to intervene and convince Iran to keep the waterway open.
A False Victory
Trump’s declaration of a successful airstrike against Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan was delivered with characteristic bravado. He proudly claimed that U.S. B-2 stealth bombers had penetrated Iranian defenses and wiped out key nuclear infrastructure. However, once satellite imagery became available in daylight, the story began to unravel.
Images published by the BBC showed little more than a small crater, with surrounding structures remarkably untouched. Defense analyst Mike Mihalovich explained that what appeared on the ground was a “subsidence crater,” typically formed when underground detonations cause structural collapse, not destruction. This suggests that the bombs failed to reach their intended targets deep beneath the surface, pointing to a possible failure of the operation.
Mike Oslo further illustrated the technical reasons behind this failure, highlighting that the weapons may have detonated prematurely or failed to penetrate hardened underground facilities, resulting in minimal damage.
“A subsidence crater forms when an underground explosion causes the overlying material to collapse into the void left behind. Unlike a traditional blast crater, it often leaves minimal surface disruption and is typically a sign of a failed or partial penetration.”
Strategic Backfire
While Trump boasted about U.S. military might, Iran wasted no time in retaliating. Reports emerged of Iranian ballistic missiles striking Israeli cities, causing significant destruction. Iran’s response was swift, calculated, and demonstrated that the Islamic Republic was not deterred by American firepower.
But the most devastating blow may not be military—it is economic. The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil supply passes, would have catastrophic global repercussions. It could trigger unprecedented spikes in oil prices and lead to soaring inflation worldwide.
In a desperate bid to manage the fallout, the U.S. has reportedly requested the Houthis for a ceasefire in the Red Sea to protect American naval assets. Trump’s administration, already isolated diplomatically, now faces the impossible task of negotiating with an Iran that has been publicly humiliated but remains firmly defiant.
Even Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has resorted to appealing to China to exert pressure on Iran, acknowledging that the United States alone may not be able to resolve the looming crisis.
PR Disasters and Hypocrisy
While military objectives floundered, the U.S. and its ally Israel have also faced severe criticism in the Western media. British commentators grilled Israeli propagandists on live television, highlighting the hypocrisy of Israel’s position—accusing Iran of aggression while ignoring Israel’s own regional ambitions and military actions.
British MP Emily Thornberry added her voice to the chorus of criticism, pointing out that the U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement, which had successfully constrained Iran’s nuclear program, was recklessly abandoned by Trump under Netanyahu’s influence. Thornberry argued that even the most optimistic outcome of the recent bombings would only delay Iran’s nuclear capabilities by months, not years.
The collapse of diplomatic efforts and the resumption of hostilities have eroded trust, making future negotiations even more difficult.
A Dangerous Future
There is no doubt that Trump and Netanyahu have steered the world toward a precarious and volatile situation. Their rash decisions, driven by political ambition and, arguably, by a deep-seated animosity towards certain populations, risk long-lasting damage to international peace and stability.
The military operation that was supposed to project strength has instead revealed strategic miscalculations, global economic vulnerabilities, and diplomatic isolation. As Iran tightens its grip on key shipping routes and strengthens its regional alliances, it becomes increasingly clear that this conflict may spiral far beyond what Trump or Netanyahu had anticipated.
In the end, the question remains: was this worth it? The world can only hope that the damage done is not irreparable.
