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The headlines this week looked and sounded like a turning point. CENTCOM announced a “heavy wave of strikes” against Revolutionary Guard targets in Iran. At the same time, President Trump is said to be weighing an even larger air campaign. And, because life likes to be messy, the White House is also pushing a so-called “Peace Council” deal that would have Hamas surrender its weapons in exchange for a ceasefire and more autonomy for Gaza. Pick your irony: military strikes on one hand, and a trust fall with Hamas on the other.
What the CENTCOM strikes tell us about U.S. resolve
CENTCOM says it hit dozens of Revolutionary Guard sites — command centers, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance and naval capabilities. U.S. officials also reported intercepting ballistic missiles launched at bases, and there are tens of thousands of American troops in the region. That is not window dressing. This is a serious military posture meant to punish, deter, and signal that we will not tolerate attacks on our forces or partners.
President Trump reportedly has been shown plans for a 10-to-14 day air campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s missile systems. If true, that plan signals a willingness to move beyond warnings and limited strikes. Good. After years of talk, decisive action is what changes behavior. The hard part is making sure action has clear goals and stays calibrated so it actually deters Tehran instead of inviting longer wars of attrition.
The “Peace Council” and the fantasy of trusting Hamas
Meanwhile, the political side of the script tries to sell us something softer: Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt are said to be pushing a deal that would see Hamas hand over all weapons in return for a full ceasefire and Gaza autonomy. President Trump apparently is pressing Israel to accept this package. That is the fantasy version of diplomacy — attractive in headlines, thin in facts.
History warns us here. Gaza had autonomy after Israel’s 2005 withdrawal, and we remember what followed. Hamas has shown itself willing to use any pause to rearm, rebuild tunnels, and plan attacks. Trusting a sworn enemy to give up every rocket and tunnel because three regional intermediaries say they will make it happen would be naïve, risky, and, frankly, dangerous. If the goal is lasting peace, you don’t start by handing over the keys and hoping for the best.
Damietta, energy shocks, and Iran’s broader signaling
Complicating the picture: an explosion at an LNG terminal in Damietta, which some sources attribute to a drone strike. If Iran or its proxies are now demonstrating the ability to hit energy infrastructure, the stakes go beyond Israel and Gaza. Attacks on shipping and fuel supplies hurt global markets and make the cost of inaction far higher. That’s another reason why half-measures — strikes without a strategy or deals without enforcement — are not good enough.
So what should we want? A clear policy that combines credible military deterrence with smart diplomacy that includes verifiable disarmament, robust inspections, and contingency plans if promises fail. Support Israel’s right to defend itself, hold Iran accountable for strikes and terror, and don’t trade real security for a feel-good headline. Live without fear, by all means — but not by hoping our enemies suddenly learn the value of honesty. That’s not courage; it’s wishful thinking.
