CFR Analysis: What's Next for the War in Iran?

The Council on Foreign Relations published a strategic assessment one week into the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, noting that Ayatollah Khamenei and much of the regime's leadership are dead, more than 2,000 targets have been struck, and over 30 Iranian ships sunk or destroyed. Iran has retaliated by striking military, civilian, and infrastructure targets across eleven countries, while oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped more than 90 percent. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby described U.S. objectives as degrading Iran's ability to project military power, while Trump has demanded unconditional surrender. Questions remain over Iran's succession, the future of the Strait of Hormuz, and long-term regional stability.