President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu launched a war against Iran expecting swift regime change, but underestimated Tehran’s resilience and military might. Iran’s leadership, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, has demonstrated capacity to disrupt global trade by blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for oil and gas shipments. This miscalculation has triggered economic fallout, including plunging U.S. stock markets, and exposed Trump’s erratic leadership. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Defense Secretary, has fueled concerns by advocating for “overwhelming violence” against Iran, framing the conflict as a religious crusade. Iran’s near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile—over 950 pounds—remains a nuclear proliferation risk, exacerbated by Trump’s abandonment of the JCPOA deal without a viable replacement strategy.