What is victory over Iran worth, and should America pay that cost to obtain it? If victory means a prolonged ground invasion or even a very expensive continuation of the bombing campaign, is there a goal in the Persian Gulf that makes it cost-effective for Americans to pursue?
On X.com, former Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent suggests that the best option for President Trump is to walk away from the Iran war.
Trump is correct: killing the ayatollah & most of the moderates was a mistake.
The Israelis assured Trump that doing so would annihilate the regime. Instead, it cleared the way for IRGC hardliners to take control and galvanized the Iranian people against America.
The Israelis sold Trump a lie to ensure we’d end up ensnared in a conflict that serves their interests, despite bringing nothing but harm to the American people.
Trump can break out of this trap by walking away now. No more escalation, or waiting for a deal that the Iranians can’t give him.
Just walk now. https://t.co/QC0PC8qXTx
— Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) October 13, 2026
