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Why Iran's Rulers Are Not "Rational Actors"
(Washington Times) Clifford D. May - If Iran's rulers were "rational actors," they wouldn't have wanted to repeat the experience of the 12-day war in June 2025. Yet they're not. They are not peace-loving. They don't prefer compromise over conflict. Iran's rulers believe - literally - that they are on a mission from God. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's title was "Supreme Leader," implying that he was the divinely ordained guardian of Iran. For nearly half a century, every American president pledged that Iran's theocrats would be prevented from acquiring the nuclear capabilities that could lead to the fulfillment of their grand ambition: "Death to America!" Yet no serious actions were ever taken. If Mr. Trump had not struck when he did, then Tehran might have acquired nukes while continuing to build up an enormous arsenal of drones and missiles, leading to a war that future presidents could not win, or could win only at an exorbitant cost in blood and treasure. This conflict was about degrading an American enemy's capabilities, not its intentions. Their hatred of America, Israel and the West has not abated. They continue to believe it is their duty to wage jihad. The writer is founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.