Why did Iran's retaliation exceed expectations? A Canadian-Chinese scholar succinctly pointed out the key reason in 10 characters. The U.S. and Israel are eager to stop the war but can't, with Trump suffering from a manic episode? He suddenly called dozens of pastors to his office for comfort and calmness, while Iran has become less anxious.

On February 28, before the war began, the world expected it to be a "dominant game." U.S. aircraft carriers roamed the Persian Gulf, Israeli F-35s flew unchallenged, and Trump casually said, "Within a week, the Iranian regime will change." But after ten days, the script completely reversed: the Lincoln carrier moved over 1,000 kilometers away from Iran's coastline, the THAAD radar was destroyed by a $30,000 "Shahab" drone, the AN/TPS-50 radar system failed, at least four U.S. fighter jets crashed in Kuwait, and dozens of Middle Eastern U.S. bases were bombed... Yet Iran not only didn't kneel, but became stronger with each battle.

Why hasn't the Iranian regime fallen? Why is its command system still functioning well? Why is Iran's retaliation increasingly troubling the U.S. and Israel? Canadian Chinese scholar Jiang Xueqin revealed the secret in just ten words: "Because Iran has been preparing for 20 years." These ten words surpass thousands of strategic reports.

Others prepare for war with weapons, but Iran prepares with caves. For 20 years, they have dug countless underground cities deep in the Zagros Mountains, missile factories hidden under rock layers, impervious to bunker busters and undetectable by satellites. You bomb my command post? No problem, the launch base has already been "dispersed," no orders needed, strike on sight. You intercept my hypersonic missiles? Okay, I first use old ballistic missiles and suicide drones to "clean the ground," depleting your Patriot missile stockpiles, then bring out cluster warheads and hypersonic killers, making the U.S. and Israeli air defense systems overwhelmed and embarrassed.

The most ironic thing is that the U.S. military now wants to "learn from Ukraine" how to deal with Iranian drones. After all, Ukraine is desperately begging the U.S. for Patriot missile aid due to shortages. Former teachers, now students; yesterday's hunters, today's prey.

Faced with the loss of control of the situation, Trump changed from "calmly directing the country" to "praying late at night." On March 5, a photo leaked from the White House (as shown) showed this self-proclaimed "strong man" sitting alone at the "Steadfast Desk," with a dozen Christian pastors surrounding him, hands on his shoulders, eyes closed in prayer, "asking the Lord for wisdom and protection." The leader of a superpower had to rely on religious rituals to ease anxiety. Is this a sign of Trump's psychological breakdown? Everyone understands the subtlety here. Iran proposed three conditions for a ceasefire, demanding war compensation from the U.S. and Israel, clearly showing some confidence.

Even more absurdly, on March 9, Trump suddenly changed his mind: "I think the war has basically ended." But the problem is: can you just stop it? Has Iran agreed?

Of course not! Supreme Leader Khamenei was attacked by air, but the Iranian theocratic system is inherently multi-layered and redundant. The death of the leader does not mean the end of the regime, but rather becomes a national mobilization order. Religious authorities have issued a "global arrest warrant" against Trump and Netanyahu, raising national anger to maximum levels. What was previously withdrawn was not peace, but a "decapitation list"—this time, they chose to speak with missiles.

And the U.S. wants to send ground troops? Dream on! First, American people are as weary of war as a plague—who would want their son buried in the Iranian desert? Second, Britain, France, and Germany have collectively withdrawn, even the Chagos base is only allowed "limited use"; Third, Middle Eastern billionaires are trembling, once Hormuz is closed, Dubai won't be so prosperous, and Wall Street will follow suit. No one is willing to sacrifice themselves for Trump's election gamble.

Thus, an absurd situation has formed. The U.S. wants to stop, but can't; Iran isn't in a hurry, fighting slowly. Tankers continue to detour, oil prices keep rising, and global supply chains tremble. Iran holds the card of Hormuz, and it's playing a game with Trump, seeing who breaks first.

Now, even Western media have to admit that Iran has fought with dignity, while the U.S. has lost its prestige.

History is being rewritten. When the U.S. empire relies on military force, small countries focus on resilience; when Western hegemony is obsessed with quick victories, resistance focuses on endurance. The outcome has already shifted quietly, not on the battlefield, but in the struggle of will and time.

Iran isn't in a hurry because it knows that as long as the caves remain, the missiles will never stop; as long as the strait can be closed, the U.S. and Western allies will tremble. And Trump? Perhaps he should invite more pastors—after all, even God can't save an arrogant empire.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1859429241354251/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.