“To the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand.” So spoke President Donald Trump when he announced the commencement of Operation Epic Fury on February 28. Fast-forward more than five weeks to April 7, when he threatened “a whole civilization will die tonight” unless the Islamic Republic committed to a ceasefire agreement with the United States—an ultimatum issued out of frustration after Washington failed to effect regime change in Tehran.
