Opinion: Middle East Eye
27 January 2026
• The three phases of the U.S. strategy over the past year to bring about regime change in Iran—and the five factors shaping its outcome
• This moment is a “bloody pause” before a potential “regional explosion”
• For Iran, a next US–Israeli attack would be an “existential war”, eliminating any incentive for restraint and unleashing a conflict that would be impossible to control
• If catastrophe is to be avoided, President Trump must rethink a “surrender-driven strategy” and move toward a “broad, face-saving deal” with Iran – ending 47 years of confrontation before the region is pushed into irreversible war
https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/for-iran-another-us-israel-attack-would-be-an-existential-war