The Wall Street Journal: How did Iran challenge the United States to become an international power?
The Wall Street Journal acknowledged that Iran poses the greatest threat to US interests thanks to its military capabilities and relations with Russia and China, despite decades of Western pressure.
“The winner of Iran’s presidential election, although he will inherit an economy damaged by sanctions, will also inherit more power and influence on the international stage than Iran enjoyed decades ago,” the Wall Street Journal said.
Iran, under the leadership of Ali Khamenei, has thwarted decades of US pressure and largely emerged from years of isolation by allying with Russia and China, abandoning integration with the West, and partnering with two major powers as they escalated their confrontation with Washington.
Oil sales to China and arms deals with Russia have provided a financial and diplomatic lifeline to Iran and revived its economy, which is suffering from US sanctions.
Iran has effectively exploited decades of US mistakes in the Middle East and significant fluctuations in White House policy toward the region from one administration to another.
Tehran poses a threat to the United States and its interests in the Middle East more than at any time since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979, and Iran’s military footprint is wider and deeper than ever.
