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 ...
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https://twitter.com/GREENESJ333/status/2046565900422148310
(e.g., Tucker Carlson/Cato) perspectives on Trump's 2025-2026 Iran campaign (Operation Epic Fury and related actions).
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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,
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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.
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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
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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3. Biden extracted America from wars in the Middle East.Sullivan claimed America was war-free for the first time in 25 years.
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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).
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Framing Oct. 7 as purely Palestinian-Israeli hid Iran's role and U.S. involvement in an ongoing asymmetric war.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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Israel is a "model ally"—self-reliant force multiplier requiring no U.S. ground troops. Interests aligned against a shared revolutionary threat.
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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;
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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.
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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.
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7. Trump and Netanyahu are warmongering megalomaniacs (with no strategy).Progressives cite personal pathologies/anti-democratic tendencies driving needless war.
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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
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countered the axis—opposite of aimless chaos. Contempt for the leaders blinds critics to results.
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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
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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.
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