The US-led campaign against Iran should be considered unsuccessful unless it produces verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic-missile programs

The armed conflict between the United States and Iran and the political fight it set off at home, from strikes and the naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz to negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. Debated through war powers, munitions stocks and household costs.

Defence of a state against external and internal threats, spanning intelligence services, military operations, counterterrorism and the classification of information. Covers the tension between secrecy and oversight, and the agencies whose work is largely conducted beyond public view.

The policies, political debates, and institutional decisions shaping how the United States engages with Iran, from diplomacy and sanctions to military and congressional action.

Iran's nuclear activities and the U.S. policy debates over diplomacy, sanctions, inspections, and military options to constrain them.

United States strategy and action abroad, spanning diplomacy, alliances, sanctions, foreign aid and military commitments. Formally the president's domain, though Congress holds the purse and the treaty power, which makes most of it a negotiation between the two branches of government.

Operation Epic Fury passed six months on 28 August, with the Strait of Hormuz closed since Iran shut it in February and the naval blockade reimposed in August. Six thousand sailors remain stranded in the Gulf and nineteen seafarers have been killed.