Cyrus Janssen said the United States has repeatedly claimed victory in its war with Iran, but argued that Washington has not achieved its stated military objectives.
Speaking during a live discussion on his YouTube channel with former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter, Janssen said the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian control, tolls are being charged, and a U.S. blockade has not produced a clear military outcome.
“I have yet to see anything actually achieved from a United States military perspective,” Janssen said.
Ritter agreed, saying the United States has failed to accomplish the core objectives of the conflict.
“We’ve accomplished none of the objectives of this conflict,” Ritter said.
Ritter argued that Washington has not secured the Strait of Hormuz, toppled the government in Tehran, or eliminated Iran’s nuclear program. Instead, he said the war has strengthened Iran’s position and exposed limits in U.S. military power.
Ritter warned that the most immediate danger is the global energy system. He said oil production, storage, refining, shipping, pipelines, and fuel distribution all depend on continuous movement. If that system is interrupted for too long, he argued, the damage could extend far beyond the battlefield.
“By June we’ll start to see major disruptions in the energy supply chain,” Ritter said.
He warned that if the crisis is not resolved, the world could face a broader collapse in energy flows by September. Ritter said refineries could shut down, pipelines could empty, and oil wells could face long-term production problems if normal operations are not restored.
“We are literally looking at a global energy security catastrophe,” Ritter said.
Ritter said the effects would not be limited to China, Europe, or the Gulf states. He argued that the United States would also feel the consequences because American energy prices are tied to global oil markets.
Janssen said the American economy is especially vulnerable because food, consumer goods, and industrial supplies move largely by truck. He said higher diesel and gasoline prices would quickly raise costs across the economy, adding pressure to households already struggling with inflation.
The discussion also turned to aviation. Ritter said airlines could face higher fuel costs and potential shortages if the disruption continues, particularly in Europe. He warned that even if a political settlement is reached, it may take weeks or months for energy flows and logistics networks to return to normal.
Ritter also argued that the conflict has damaged perceptions of Western military superiority. He said Iran’s ability to endure the war and maintain leverage over the Strait of Hormuz has changed how other powers view American military strength.
Janssen later asked about reports that Iran could potentially threaten or charge fees on undersea internet cables running through the Persian Gulf. Ritter said those cables have long been a vulnerable point for Gulf Arab states whose financial systems depend heavily on data infrastructure.
Ritter said Iran may now be in a position to extend its leverage beyond oil and shipping.
He argued that Tehran holds the stronger negotiating position because it can pressure both energy flows and communications infrastructure. However, he said Iran still has an interest in reaching a settlement because it cannot remain isolated indefinitely.
“Iran holds all the cards,” Ritter said.
On the nuclear issue, Ritter said he does not believe Iran will permanently give up its right to enrich uranium. He said a future agreement may include caps, limits, or the transfer of highly enriched uranium to Russian control, but argued that Iran will not abandon its nuclear program entirely.
He also said Iran’s ballistic missile program is unlikely to be placed on the negotiating table. According to Ritter, Tehran views its missile capability and its position over the Strait of Hormuz as essential tools of deterrence.
Ritter said the United States may still be able to claim a political victory if a deal is reached, but only if Washington lifts its blockade and makes concessions on sanctions and seized assets.
He argued that China’s involvement will be central to any settlement because Beijing has a major interest in restoring energy flows and preventing wider economic disruption. Ritter said the war is also tied to Washington’s broader strategic competition with China, especially over access to Iranian oil.
Ritter said Iran’s long-term path to power will not come from temporary pressure tactics such as closing the Strait or threatening undersea cables. Instead, he said Iran’s future influence depends on deeper economic integration with Russia, China, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and Eurasian trade networks.
He argued that the war has pushed Iran away from the West and toward a decisive eastern alignment.
“That day is finished,” Ritter said, referring to the possibility of Iran rebuilding trust with the West.
Ritter said that once sanctions are lifted, Iran could become far more deeply integrated with Russia and China, strengthening its position as a major regional and global power.
