Thread by @GREENESJ333

Here is a concise summary of the seven myths debunked in Michael Doran's April 13, 2026, Tablet Magazine article "Seven Myths About the Iran War," which critiques narratives from progressive/left and isolationist/restrainer ...
1)

(e.g., Tucker Carlson/Cato) perspectives on Trump's 2025-2026 Iran campaign (Operation Epic Fury and related actions).
2)

Doran argues these myths stem from a shared ideological opposition to American global leadership, military force, and close U.S.-Israel partnership. They portray Trump's actions as reckless adventurism, ignoring the realities of Iranian aggression, nuclear advances,
3)

missile/drone "overmatch," & proxy wars. In reality, the U.S.-Israel operation degraded Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, navy, & proxies w/limited U.S. losses (13 servicemen), while avoiding predicted catastrophes like World War III or economic collapse.
4)

1. This was a “war of choice.”Critics (e.g., Jake Sullivan) claim it lacked purpose or cause. Doran counters that it was driven by two imperatives: Trump's red line against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, and
5)

Iran's rapid rebuilding of its ballistic missile/drone arsenal toward "overmatch" (thousands of missiles capable of overwhelming U.S./Israeli/Gulf defenses, creating a "point of immunity" shielding a nuclear breakout).
6)

After the June 2025 12-Day War, Iran rebuilt aggressively; inaction, solo Israeli action, or joint action were the options—joint action was chosen to neutralize a shared, growing threat.
7)

2. The JCPOA (Obama's nuclear deal) had moderated Iran and stabilized the Middle East before Trump broke it. Sullivan and others claim compliance and stability until Trump's 2018 withdrawal.
8)

Doran notes the timeline fails: major enrichment leaps (to 60%) and proxy/missile acceleration happened under Biden, who eased sanctions and oil revenues (via China) without reciprocity. This funded Iran's capabilities, leading to Oct. 7, 2023, and overmatch—not moderation.
9)

The deal enabled the confrontation under worse conditions.

3. Biden extracted America from wars in the Middle East.Sullivan claimed America was war-free for the first time in 25 years.
10)

Doran calls this an inversion: Biden's restraint emboldened Iran's "Resistance Axis" (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, Iraqi militias), leading to hundreds of attacks on U.S. forces/assets post-Oct. 7 (170+ on bases, Red Sea shipping disruptions, U.S. deaths/wounded).
11)

Framing Oct. 7 as purely Palestinian-Israeli hid Iran's role and U.S. involvement in an ongoing asymmetric war.
12)

4. Tehran was ready to compromise (on the eve of major strikes).Sullivan cited an Omani-mediated Geneva proposal (zero stockpiles, down-blending, IAEA access, possible U.S. civil nuclear role) as a near-breakthrough rejected by Trump.
13)

Doran argues it was reversible/temporary on enrichment while preserving the full power complex (missiles, proxies, industrial base)—same flawed JCPOA logic that previously funded aggression without moderation. It would have bought time for future breakout.
Q4)
14)

5. Israel dragged America into the war. Sullivan and NYT narratives suggest Netanyahu pulled a clueless Trump/Netanyahu into serving Israeli (not U.S.) interests, risking chaos/oil spikes. Doran refutes this:
15)

Threats (overmatch, nuclear) endangered both equally; Trump had long opposed Iran's nukes (pre-Netanyahu influence, including Soleimani strike); the U.S. led as senior partner in a synchronized campaign.
16)

Israel is a "model ally"—self-reliant force multiplier requiring no U.S. ground troops. Interests aligned against a shared revolutionary threat.
17)

6. Confronting Iran distracts from China (the real priority). Biden/Sullivan argued ending "forever wars" freed focus for Pacific competition. Doran says theaters are linked: China props up Iran via oil purchases and missile components;
18)

benefits from Houthi disruptions (safe passage for its ships, leverage over chokepoints like Hormuz/Bab al-Mandab vital for Asian allies' energy). Weakness in Middle East hands China asymmetric tools for a Taiwan scenario.
19)

Degrading Iran reduces pressure, secures routes, and counters the axis.

7. Trump and Netanyahu are warmongering megalomaniacs (with no strategy).Progressives cite personal pathologies/anti-democratic tendencies driving needless war.
20)

Doran notes the campaign achieved core goals: halted nuclear advance, degraded missiles/navy/proxies, imposed economic damage, with far lighter costs than predicted. It demonstrated effective deterrence and alliances, lowered threats, and
21)

countered the axis—opposite of aimless chaos. Contempt for the leaders blinds critics to results.
22)

Doran frames the article as defending traditional conservative strategy (force + strong alliances, especially with capable partners like Israel) against a progressive-restrainer consensus favoring diplomacy, restraint, and
23)

distance from Israel, which he says enabled Iran's advances. The piece draws on events up to early April 2026, including regime decapitation strikes, cease-fires, and Hormuz actions.
24)

@threadreaderapp unroll