Retired General: New Iran Strikes Delay Threats, Not War
Gen. Joseph Votel says the U.S. must define a clear end state involving the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear enrichment to stop the conflict.
By Jisoo Serrano ·
Retired Army Gen. Joseph Votel stated that a new wave of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran will likely weaken the country’s military capabilities but will not end the war. Votel, who led U.S. Central Command from 2016 to 2019, spoke with NPR’s Leila Fadel about the objectives behind a potential post-election bombing campaign.
Votel noted that many likely targets have already been hit, and Iran has demonstrated the ability to rebuild them. He said strikes can buy time, punish Tehran, and degrade specific capabilities, but they have not yet changed Tehran’s calculus regarding the war’s trajectory.
The former commander argued that the first requirement for success is a clear objective. Washington must define the end state and determine how it will declare the war finished. Votel identified the enrichment issue and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as the core components of that end state.
Once that goal is set, Votel said military, economic, diplomatic, and information pressure should all target it. He emphasized that military force is only one piece of national power. On the financial front, he pointed to the blockade and sanctions as areas with visible progress, citing reporting that Iran’s ghost fleet has run out of oil.
Votel described the U.S. aims as hard to read but centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to allow oil and commerce to move freely. He said this would help bring down gas and diesel prices at home. He also cited Iran’s nuclear program as a primary concern, alongside the use of proxies like the Houthis to create regional instability.
To bring Iran to the negotiating table, Votel stressed the need for a clear statement of objectives and a coordinated use of military, economic, and diplomatic tools. He noted that patience is required to see that approach through.
Regarding military readiness, Votel said U.S. offensive power in the region is substantial. However, he identified missile defense as a potential constraint. While offensive capability is where it needs to be, defense may face pressure as interceptors protecting U.S. forces and infrastructure are used.
Source: NPR
