[jvanderbot]

Playing devils advocate, the results are not always intended. I think the intent was to secure the area / prevent a state from becoming hegemonic, esp a state which has proven to be prone to harassing shipping and allies in the area (to say the last), as well as a state which is directly aiding an invasion of Europe/former USSR independent states.

So, circling back to my original comment, the Iran war is in line with the principles of keeping peaceful free trade safe (perhaps only for "us"), but alas, as you say, free trade has paused while we try to do that.

That's it. I dont think that's a hugely controversial statement or obviously false.

[AntiUSAbah]

Lets be honest here, Trump attacked Iran for 2-3 basic reasons: 1. he thought it would go like venezuela 2. he did this for his business partners.

Iran in its pre Trump state existed with the Khamenei family for quite a long time.