Right.
There are a lot of traps here.
First off, CatOwner is right. You can’t just anihilate a whole country. The world is whining and bristling already, but it’s mostly just a geopolitical show. Using words like “war crimes” is a part of the act. But it likely wouldn’t be if you just go full scorched earth.
Secondly, the Iranian people don’t deserve it. It not their fault they are under the thumb of an oppressive system. It’s a lot more likely that they could have prevented it over 50 years ago than they could get themselves out from under it now, but as they say, hindsight is 20/20.
The IRGC is the real problem, but they embedded, hiding, and possibly somewhat splintered. You cannot negotiate with them because (1) they don’t want to negotiate, (2) they can’t be trusted, and (3) they just want to ride this out until they can exert full control again. What they would really like is for us to invade, so they can open up the asymmetric warfare play-book and try to get us mired what would end up in either a “forever war” or a political black-eye retreat.
I personally don’t think Trump cares about negotiating either.
Who is he even going to get a garauntee from who has the ability to keep it?
I believe the delay is about a strategic re-gathering. Increasing intelligence, increasing force capacity, and analyzing best possible outcome trees.
People assume Trump is doing this on behalf of Israel.
I think he’s doing it more on behalf of the UAE, he sees them as the future big player in the region.