The David Lin Report · Friday, August 14, 2026
Trita Parsi states that the US does not possess effective military options to compel Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, despite the US naval blockade. He elaborates that while the US has had tactical successes, these have not translated into strategic objectives.
“Absolutely not. We're in a situation in which the US is not only stuck, but increasingly, it's clear to the US does not have any military options at all that can really work.”
“So yes, the administration can list a lot of operational success, tactical success, but you don't win wars through tactical successes. You have to translate those into strategic successes. And we have not seen any of Trump's strategic objectives being achieved.”