Votel: Economic Pressure Beats New Iran Strikes
Retired Gen. Joseph Votel argues that without a defined end state, new U.S. and Israeli attacks will only delay the conflict while straining missile defense resources.
By Tyler Khalil ·
Ordinary Americans watching the conflict may face prolonged uncertainty if new U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran fail to force a decisive change in Tehran's strategy. Retired Army Gen. Joseph Votel, who led U.S. Central Command from 2016 to 2019, told NPR that while fresh attacks can weaken Iranian capabilities, they are unlikely to end the war on their own.
Votel noted that many likely targets have already been hit and that Iran has demonstrated the ability to rebuild them. He argued that strikes can buy time and punish Tehran, but they have not yet altered the country's calculations on where the war is heading. He identified two primary objectives that Washington must define: the resolution of the nuclear enrichment issue and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The general emphasized that military force is only one component of national power. He said economic pressure is currently showing the most visible progress, citing reports that Iran's ghost fleet of oil tankers has run out of fuel. While he acknowledged that financial strangulation takes time, he said there is definite movement in that direction compared to previous phases of the conflict.
Votel stated that the U.S. aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to allow oil and other commerce to move freely. He explained that this goal is linked to domestic economic concerns, specifically the need to bring down gas and diesel prices at home. He also pointed to Iran's nuclear program and its use of proxies, such as the Houthis, as secondary sources of regional instability, but he maintained that Hormuz and enrichment remain the principal worries.
Regarding military readiness, Votel said American offensive power in the region is substantial and the ability to strike is not in question. However, he flagged missile defense as a potential constraint. He noted that defensive interceptors protecting U.S. forces and regional partners are under heavy pressure. He concluded that while offense is prepared, defense may face limitations if the conflict drags on.
Votel chairs the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. He advised that bringing Iran to the negotiating table requires a clear statement of objectives and a coordinated use of military, economic, and diplomatic tools. He stressed the need for patience to see that approach through, warning that vague goals risk extending the conflict without achieving a strategic shift.
