A Brief History of America’s Involvement in Iran

Why did President Donald Trump launch Operation Epic Fury? He’s provided a stream of reasons: forcing regime change; destroying Iran’s missile capabilities (to eliminate what he called “imminent threats”); “annihilating” the Iranian navy; ensuring that Iran cannot further develop nuclear weapons; and blocking Iran’s support of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

More from Naomi Bethune

Regardless of the reason—if one truly exists—such military action is at odds with Trump’s stated “America First” foreign-policy strategy...