Former CIA Director and US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has sharply criticized the Trump administration's strategy regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran, particularly its decision to use intermediaries such as Pakistan and Egypt for negotiations. Panetta, who served as CIA director from 2009 to 2011 and Defense Secretary from 2011 to 2013, labeled this approach "nuts," emphasizing the necessity for direct engagement with Tehran.
"My god, to have Pakistan or Egypt or others determining how we were going to try to resolve some of these issues was nuts," Panetta stated during a discussion. He stressed that effective negotiations require direct confrontation and clear terms set by the principal parties.
Assessment of the Iran War
Panetta offered a candid assessment of the conflict, stating, "I think without question that the war has not gone well." He attributed this failure to a series of "bad judgments" made by the Trump administration. Among these, he highlighted the flawed assumption that joining Israel in targeting Iran's leadership would swiftly collapse the regime, a notion he claimed US intelligence had already deemed "farcical."
The Strait of Hormuz Controversy
The former Defense Secretary also pointed to the administration's apparent surprise at Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Panetta revealed that during his tenure, extensive planning went into anticipating such eventualities, with Hormuz being a central focus. He noted that while military plans existed to keep the waterway open, they would necessitate significant naval forces and ground troops, controlling areas stretching 50 miles on each side of the strait and 100 miles inland—an operation fraught with risks and potential casualties.
Panetta argued that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open would have significantly reduced Iran's leverage, thereby impacting its ability to influence the US economy and global fuel supplies. He advocated for collaborative efforts with allies to secure this critical maritime passage.
Critique of Negotiation Tactics and Objectives
Further criticism was directed at a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which collapsed after Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz. Panetta described the MoU as vague, unenforceable, and ultimately ineffective. He underscored the fundamental principle that any military action must be underpinned by a clear objective, a defined strategy to achieve it, and a discernible endgame.
According to Panetta, a clear objective like reopening the Strait of Hormuz could have provided Washington with crucial leverage, potentially allowing a renewed focus on the more pressing nuclear issue with Iran. Pakistan, despite Panetta's critique, continues to engage in mediation efforts with Iranian leaders concerning a potential deal to reopen the waterway.