Former US Secretary of State Blinken Calls Military Action Against Iran a Mistake, States Tehran Is Now Stronger
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has commented on Iran, asserting that the option of military action, chosen by Trump, was a mistake. He added that all previous administrations had considered this option and concluded that such action should be considered a last resort.
Regarding the potential consequences of military action, Blinken stated, “Even if you took such an action, you might be able to set Iran back for a period, but in reality, this setback would likely only last for one or two years. Instead, their [nuclear] program would be hidden deeper underground, and they would return and even undertake more extensive activities.”
He elaborated on potential avenues for the President, noting, “Although there has been, and still is, an obvious way out for the President, the problem with this way out is that it requires accepting the reality that he has not succeeded. Because this way out necessitates some kind of compromise with Iran, and that is precisely what he is shying away from accepting.”
Blinken expressed hope for a path out of the current situation, deeming the achievement of an agreement and a diplomatic solution entirely possible. He added, “But within the framework of such a solution, Iran’s nuclear program activities might not differ much from what was in the deal abrogated by Trump (JCPOA), and certainly won’t be better. Accepting this reality is very difficult for him.”
The former U.S. Secretary of State, referencing the Strait of Hormuz, said, “Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which was not problematic before the start of this war, we now face an issue that needs to be addressed. And this decision almost certainly grants an advantage to Iran. I really don’t want to say this, but perhaps this is the reality: a kind of ‘toll,’ although they don’t call it a toll.”
Blinken concluded by outlining Iran’s geographical and demographic scale, emphasizing, “Iran’s area is 4 times that of California and 3 times that of Iraq. This country has a population of 90 million people. That coastline along the Strait of Hormuz is endless. The weapons Iran continues to produce are stationed deep within the country and have a range so extensive that they cannot easily be destroyed. To achieve such a goal would likely require some form of ground invasion, which in itself would be a complete disaster. Iran is, in fact, in a stronger regional position compared to when this situation began.”
