Events in Iran may seem far away, easily removed from our day-to-day life. To some extent, that is true, but in another sense – looking over the horizon – President Trump is wisely looking ahead.
Iran’s nuclear program – and gross brutality toward innocents, killing 36,000 protestors last month – are central to the public discussion about President Trump’s bold decision to eliminate Iran’s theocratic dictator. But the “issue behind the issue” is Iran’s desire to get long-range missiles.
Today, Iran is pushing for nuclear weapons and – yes – just executed thousands, but they are building missiles – ballistic and cruise – with an eye toward hitting the United States and Europe.
These missiles – “ballistic,” parabolic trajectory entering and falling from space, and “cruise,” ground-level and computer-guided – are a direct threat to US and European security.
To date, Iran has developed and stockpiled 3,000 short- and medium-range – not long-range – missiles. They carry conventional warheads, which could potentially be nuclear. These missiles are Shabab-3 (600 miles’ range), Emad-1 (1,240 miles), and Sejil (1,550 miles). None can hit America.
On the other hand, Iran’s dictator, radical Islamic theocrats, and military want long-range missiles to threaten or hit America and northern Europe. In this push, they are intense – often showcasing new technologies unrelated to nuclear, like hypersonic and long-range cruise missiles.
Bluntly, President Trump is “looking around corners,” working to anticipate threats America – and free peoples – will face “tomorrow,” proceeding to eliminate them. As this engagement with Iran continues, triggered by Iran’s determination to get nuclear weapons, Trump is looking at missiles.
Watch what happens as Iran’s belligerence, which is really the belligerence of a theocratic elite and brutal military (IRGC), reaches a spike. The more Iran defends terrorism, its nuclear program, and its missile program, the more likely it is that Trump – and Israel – will wipe out their missile technology.
In the end, while the entire world has lived in fear of the Iranian nuclear program, Democrats and Republicans refusing – until now – to eliminate it kinetically, the “issue behind the issue” is delivery capacity, Iran’s ability to use long-range missiles to hit DC, New York, and our deep interior.
Watch closely, and what we are likely to learn is that Trump is smart like a fox, if we do not already know that. He gave Iran a diplomatic out knowing their arrogance would likely forbid it, hit their leadership, which triggered IRGC reaction against US bases and allies, allowing another strike on their nuclear program – but just as importantly – a chance to end their long-range missile program.
History – as they say – is generally “made by inches.” But occasionally, a bold quarterback comes along. He throws long bombs into the end zone, and they are caught. President Trump is that quarterback, as bold as Reagan, Truman, Theodore Roosevelt, and our Founders in their day.
The outcome will be a substantially safer world, one in which the chief sponsor of terror, a nearly capable nuclear Iran and its immoral leadership – and dangerous missiles – are no longer a threat.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
