Trump’s Iran War: Opening a ‘Pandora’s Box

Dr. Lokman Khan expresses concern over potential US military action in the Middle East, speculating on a possible understanding between Trump and Netanyahu. He warns that a conflict with Iran could lead to disastrous consequences for America, economically and militarily, while benefiting adversaries like China and Russia, and destabilizing the region.

Dr Lokman Khan

18/06/2025

1–2 minutes

History, iran, israel, middle-east, Politics

Analyst and writer: Dr. Lokman Khan

Speculation is mounting regarding the deployment of US military assets to the Middle East and a potential understanding between Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. While Trump’s unpredictable nature makes it difficult to say for sure—it could even be a strategy to pressure Iran—if the US ultimately gets drawn into a war with Iran, I believe it would be a colossal mistake for America.

Iraq and Iran are not the same. Iran is nearly five times larger than Iraq. When Saddam Hussein occupied Kuwait, neighboring countries turned against him. The US capitalized on this opportunity to enter Iraq. That operation ultimately turned into a disaster, with the US forced to withdraw and Iraq falling into the hands of extremists. Saddam Hussein, in comparison, was far more accommodating.

If America intends to occupy Iran, they might succeed, but at a steep cost—both economically and in terms of military casualties. At this very moment, China and Russia are ardently hoping for the US to get entangled in a war with Iran. This would ignite a proxy war, with China and Russia supplying weapons to Iran, leaving America bogged down in the conflict. Seizing this chance, Russia might annex half of Ukraine, and China could find an opportune moment to take Taiwan.

Furthermore, Iran’s regional allies would not stand idly by. They would actively participate in the conflict, further destabilizing the Middle East.

America’s domestic issues would also significantly impact this decision. Trump’s primary promise for this election was to “Make America Great Again” (MAGA), meaning America would no longer meddle in foreign affairs but instead prioritize the economy and job creation. If Trump embroils the US in a war with Iran, he would be breaking this promise, and even his core supporters could turn against him.

These are all the author’s predictions. While they may not come to pass, are they truly so improbable? A Trump-initiated war with Iran could indeed open a ‘Pandora’s Box,’ unleashing unforeseen and devastating consequences.

18 June 2025