U.S. President Donald Trump is deliberately stalling to continue tightening the noose around China's neck. Think about why the skies over South Korea have been clear lately. [Photo=White House]

As the war between the United States and Iran shows signs of becoming a protracted conflict, various speculations are rampant, with some people pushing the narrative that the U.S. is losing. I would like to share my humble opinion.

This war is Iran's self-inflicted retribution

Firstly, anti-American individuals are trying to portray this war as an unjustified U.S. invasion, but that is absolutely not the case.

Beginning with the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Iran in November 1979, holding 66 Americans hostage for 444 days, Iran has, over the past nearly 50 years, kidnapped or killed hundreds of U.S. government officials, soldiers, and civilians through countless acts of terror, bombings, and kidnappings.

Furthermore, Iran has committed numerous anti-American and anti-humanitarian crimes while espousing pro-North Korea, pro-China, and pro-Russia stances. Therefore, this war is not an unjustified U.S. invasion but a clear case of Iran's self-inflicted retribution.

Why the skies over South Korea have been clear lately

Secondly, the war, which seemed like it would end quickly with the elimination of the Iranian leadership, shows signs of protracted conflict by lingering in the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, leftists, drawing parallels to the Vietnam War 70 years ago, pretend to know that the U.S. is losing this war too.

If you have any brains, think about it. As this war drags on, which country would be the busiest? It's not the U.S. or Israel.

It's China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. China's national economy depends on the oil from Venezuela and Iran, and with its lifeline completely severed, how busy must it be?

Therefore, U.S. President Donald Trump is deliberately stalling to continue tightening the noose around China's neck. Think about why the skies over South Korea have been clear lately.

The next busiest country is Iran. With oil exports blocked, Iran's national finances are depleted. Furthermore, Israel and the U.S. are hunting down and killing any Iranian resistance elements that emerge, and they are targeting military bases and oil and power facilities, making it a truly dire situation for Iran.

And as for why Russia and North Korea, who receive war materials including drones from Iran, are busy, I will leave that to the readers' imagination. In other words, President Trump's stalling strategy is a plan with four or five birds killed with one stone.

If Trump were to end the war and withdraw now, China would immediately establish a pro-China government in Iran, monopolize its oil, and spew its "Belt and Road" poison. Would the U.S. allow that?

Look at how the U.S. unilaterally postponed the U.S.-China summit, which was expected at the end of March, indefinitely. This is Trump's strategy to weaken China and then meet with them after having a firm grip on their weaknesses. China cannot utter a single word.

Even if the U.S. were to stop the war, Israel would continue fighting alone. This is because the fate of the Israeli people is at stake in this war.

With this opportunity, Israel is seeking to uproot the painful historical roots that have plagued them for centuries. Israel has begun this with thorough preparation.

THAAD Redeployment is a Warning to the South Korean Government

Thirdly, some people absurdly claim that the U.S. has exhausted its arsenal of over 8,000 missiles and has now removed THAAD from South Korea because it is running out of weapons.

U.S. President Donald Trump is deliberately stalling to continue tightening the noose around China's neck. Think about why the skies over South Korea have been clear lately. [Photo=Seoul City Data]

Is it possible that the U.S., with its vast stockpiles of weapons and annual defense budget of trillions of won, would run out of arms after fighting a country like Iran for just one week?

They are truly fools obsessed with anti-American sentiment. Would a shrewd businessman like Trump have engaged in a war without calculating the costs, only to suffer humiliation?

The reason Trump removed THAAD from South Korea is not because of a shortage of weapons. It is a warning to the South Korean government, composed of anti-American and pro-China elements.

It was also a signal to North Korea's Kim Jong Un, assuring him that the U.S. has no intention of fighting him, and that he should rest assured. This is because Kim Jong Un knows he would not dare to provoke the U.S.

To China, it was a feigned dismantling of THAAD on the Korean Peninsula, which China dislikes, ahead of the U.S.-China summit. In reality, it was an opportunity to move the THAAD base to the Middle East, which China covets.

The Strait of Hormuz is in the Palm of America's Hand

Fourthly, leftists claim that the U.S. is being held back at the Strait of Hormuz and is unable to act, acting as if Iran still controls it. Wake up.

The U.S. and Israel, with their satellites and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, can see the Strait of Hormuz as clearly as the palm of their hand. They have already destroyed nearly all of Iran's mine layers and over 100 ships.

Does it make sense that the U.S. Navy, capable of fighting a world war, would be crippled by the inferior Iranian navy?

Strategist President Trump is using the prolonged conflict to starve China and is also using the Strait of Hormuz as a means to rally allies. Observe how numerous Western countries are converging on Hormuz.

The only reason the U.S. is leaving some Iranian military presence in Hormuz is part of Trump's plan to jointly manage Hormuz with Iran after a pro-U.S. regime is established.

Iran is Taking its Last Breaths

Fifthly, leftists claim that Trump's inconsistent statements indicate dementia and that the U.S. is declining due to his supposed senility. They are truly ignorant people.

Look at how the world is dancing to Trump's tune due to his unpredictable words and actions. That is precisely Trump's strength, which makes him unpredictable, and his ultimate tactic to confuse his enemies.

Furthermore, some people loudly proclaim their "great discovery" that Iran is threatening Israel and the U.S. with new missiles with a range of 4,000 km and cluster bombs.

Iran is already like a snake whose head and tail have been severed. In Iran, a procession of people fleeing overseas fills the streets. Iran is currently taking its last breaths.

Of course, in any war, the U.S. and Israel will suffer some losses. Some soldiers will die, U.S. bases may be shelled, and aircraft may crash.

However, this war will be recorded in history as a great war that completely changed the course of the world.

◆ Advisor Kim Tae-san

Advisor at Hankook Ilbo, former North Korean trading company representative in the Czech Republic. In South Korea, he has served as Vice President of the North Korea Social Research Institute, providing in-depth insights and experience on inter-Korean relations and North Korean issues.