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American resolve forces Iran to back down as US strikes hit terror proxies

The Biden-era policy of appeasement is dead; the Trump administration is striking Iranian military sites to protect global shipping and American sovereignty.

Foreign PolicyPublished May 28, 2026 at 3:53 PMProcessed May 28, 2026 at 4:26 PM
In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, A U.S. Sailor signals to an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 87, on the flight deck of the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while operating in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 2, 2026 in the Mediterranean Sea.

The United States is no longer sitting on its hands while the Iranian regime attempts to extort the global economy. Following a series of Iranian provocations, including attempts to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz and the launching of one-way attack drones, U.S. Central Command has executed precise, defensive strikes on Iranian military infrastructure.

These actions were a necessary response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) continued aggression, which has included targeting U.S. air bases and violating international maritime norms.

While the Iranian foreign ministry attempts to play the victim, claiming these strikes violate a fragile ceasefire, the reality is that Tehran’s own reckless behavior—including its attempt to impose an illegal tolling system on the Strait of Hormuz—forced Washington’s hand.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has made it clear that the U.S. will not tolerate extortion, warning that any nation or entity facilitating Iran's attempt to hijack global trade will face the full weight of American sanctions.

President Trump has signaled that the era of endless, fruitless negotiations is nearing its end, warning hostile actors that the U.S. is prepared to finish the conflict if Iran does not immediately cease its belligerence.

By targeting the IRGC's missile sites and drone control centers, the U.S. is reasserting its commitment to protecting its troops and ensuring that the world’s energy lifelines remain open, regardless of Iran’s desperate attempts to fund its regime through maritime extortion.

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irannational-securityforeign-policytrumpmiddle-east

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