The alluring fantasy of a quick win in Iran

AFTER THE elation, the doubt. President Donald Trump said that “Operation Midnight Hammer”, had “totally obliterated” Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities. But now an early intelligence assessment leaked on June 24th suggests the nuclear programme has only been set back by months and that some enriched uranium may have been spirited away. The report is an early “low-confidence” assessment that both the Trump administration and Israeli sources eschew. But it illuminates a bigger problem. Mr Trump wants a quick-fix to the Iran nightmare with a single, clarifying mega-strike, a ceasefire and then prosperity. Instead America faces years of uncertainty over Iran’s capabilities and intentions. As a result Mr Trump’s assumption—that he can have a one-day Middle East military triumph and then quickly secure a lasting deal—may be badly misplaced.